I think it's a stereotype. It's an Italian stereotype to think American women say that, and there is a stereotype that we Italian men say that. Of course, we are passionate. We have passion and we can say something very romantic and sweet words to the women because we like to play with the women, to play with the words, to have fun, and to give the women confidence. It's our culture. But, it sounds to me a little bit too much. So, it's a comedy and in a comedy it turns in, like it's a joke. We were playing, but yeah, there are two stereotypes in the same scene and I think that's the question. That's the answer.
Have you moved to America?
I'm living here for a while because also I have my Italian movie coming out probably next spring. [It’s] called “Facing Window.” We won five Donatellos. It's like Academy Awards here in America. We went to the Toronto Film Festival and we are still in the box office. We are the best of the year in the box office and Sony Classics bought it, so it's going to be distributed here in America. So, probably I'm going to spend a long time here. And hopefully I'm going to work again.
What is it like to come here and have less attention than in Italy?
Actually, I had my first fan the other day. I was reading a magazine and she was looking at me. "Can I ask a favor?" And I say, “Yes, what?” "Can you sign me an autograph?" I said, “Oh, yes” and really I was blushing because I never expect [that]. But no, it's different. In Europe, especially, it's totally different because the people are always more pushing at you like maybe they're more excited to see you. But here in L.A., I saw a lot of Hollywood stars walking the street.
What do you miss about Italy?
Actually, three years, four years ago I could say the food, but actually you have great Italian restaurants here, so I cannot say. I can say just ‘home.’ Home. I have here everything. I have restaurants, I have friends. I don't have my family.
What are the worst stereotypes Americans have about Italians?
I think probably they think we are sort of gigolos or playboys. Probably they think we are always making sex every second, I don't know. Because if we are betraying our wife, I don't think it's like this in Italy. It's not my experience, but I think you can find a lot of people that can betray their own wife or husband in all parts of the world, so that's a stereotype to assume that just Italians do this.
What kind of role are you looking forward to playing?
Every role, every role. I want to play a good role that gives me the chance to improve myself, and to play with a good director and with a good actor. I mean, I had this kind of experience. For me, it was the best. The best start here in America because I found the most important thing is the relationship with the people, with the director, and then with the actor. If you can be very close, if you have the chemistry, the energy and everything is going well, it is going easy, very easy. Otherwise, you know, you can be in one of the biggest American movies, but if the director is… If he doesn't like you or if you don't have a good relationship with the other actors, it's a nightmare. It's a nightmare. So, I hope to find the right way and the right solution and the right movie for me.
Interview with "Under the Tuscan Sun" Star, Diane Lane
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