interview by MAREK BARTEK

Italian actor Andrea Di Luigi most recently starred in Netflix’s drama ‘Nuovo Olimpo’. In his career, he’s worked as an actor in both theater and film. Next up, we’ll be seeing him in thriller ‘Il Corpo’.

You just starred in Netflix’s ‘Nuovo Olimpo’. Directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, the film follows a love story of Pietro and Enea who get unexpectedly separated for decades. Can you tell us more about the film?
It is indeed a love story. What sets it apart is that this profound love doesn’t have time to fully blossom. It remains an idea, an intense memory in characters’ hearts. The film separately unfolds their lives, portraying the nostalgia in their eyes and sparking curiosity and hope in the audience for a potential reunion. Working on it was wonderful, a delicate task aiming to create a magnetic force propelling the film’s gears and I hope we achieved that.

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What was the preparation process like for the role of Pietro?
Pietro is a deeply introverted and shy character. To prepare, I contemplated how he’d move, speak and perceive the world. I focused on expressing through his gaze and silences rather than words. Crafting a biography and inventing events to shape his personality were crucial. Costume design played a significant role, providing outfits for me to explore Rome before filming, aiding in immersing myself in a different era and delving into his thoughts and desires.

Right now, you are shooting another film with you in the main role. Is there anything you can share with us about it already? 
It can be described as a noir and working on it was a unique experience. Imagining the character’s journey, not personally experienced, required creativity. Collaborating with exceptional actors and the skilled director Vincenzo Alfieri, who had a clear vision, was enriching. I genuinely hope I lived up to the project.

You began your acting career in Abruzzo, working in local theater and independent film projects. How do you compare the experience of working at a local level to your more recent projects on a national scale?
Indie filmmaking involves active participation in the project’s creation. Sometimes you source costumes and contribute to problem-solving. Bonds with the crew and actors deepen. In major productions, you focus solely on your character, leaving other concerns to the team. It’s more comfortable, but often daunting due to significant responsibilities. And sometimes it’s scary, at least for me.

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When it comes to your background, you studied at the Scuola di Cinema IFA and are currently training with acting coach Azzurra Rocchi. How has your training been so far, and what parts of your craft do you find most interesting to explore?
Film school paved my way into this world. I shot short films, learned the workings of a set and performed in my initial theatrical shows, all credit to my first teachers. When I moved to Rome, I started studying more. Azzurra taught me to extract character information from the text and transform it into physical input. She taught me about the relaxation and many other acting techniques that are very useful for me. I’m still a student and the journey is long, but beautiful.

After graduating in Accountancy, you went to work at your father’s office, attending Scuola di Cinema IFA in the meantime, and then going on to pursue a career in acting, which is quite a shift. What motivated this change
Acting happened by chance. Initially a drummer, I hoped music would divert me from the accounting life. Acting didn’t seem fitting until two classes changed everything. I quit everything else to pursue acting wholeheartedly. I’d never felt so curious. It’s the most direct means to express my inner world and evidently, I need this a lot.

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Italy has a rich cinematic history. As a young actor, how do you perceive the current state of the Italian film industry, and what changes or developments would you like to see in the future, if any?
I’m not well-versed, but I believe Italian cinema is undergoing change. Stories are more diverse and globally resonant. I hope there’s increasingly more space for the youth. Many incredible actors that I know go unnoticed. Young talents, given a chance, could bring fresh perspectives.

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Are there particular actors, directors or films that have inspired your artistic expression? Where do you usually draw your inspiration from?
‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ is my favorite film. I discovered that everyday life’s joys and struggles fascinate me the most and it’s easier for me to empathize with characters I might encounter on the street. Superheroes, for instance, pose a challenge. This leads me to seek simplicity in my work, aiming to serve the story rather than seeking attention. My favorite actors communicate powerfully with simplicity.

Except for the movie you’re currently working on, what can you share with us about your upcoming projects?
Currently, I’m waiting for the release of completed projects, doing auditions, eager to dive into new challenges soon.

What are your aspirations for the future of your acting career?
I hope to improve, to feel more confident and continually find answers to the myriad questions I ask daily about this job I deeply love.

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TEAM CREDITS:
talent ANDREA DI LUIGI
photography NICOLA DE ROSA
styling SAMANTA PARDINI
make up ALESSIA IACINO
hair ANDREA PIRANI at BLEND Management
publicist and PR MPUNTO COMUNICAZIONE
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview MAREK BARTEK