Lhis presence at the Lido had not been confirmed. And instead, to present Priscillacompeting in the Venice Film Festivalhas also arrived Priscilla Presley, sitting in the front row of the press conference room (after all, she is also the film’s producer). Engaged in the questions even though she wasn’t sitting on the panel together to Sofia Coppolaand to the two interpreters, Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla and Elvis respectively), Priscilla was moved several times remembering some aspects of life with Elvis.
The film – based on his book Elvis and me released in the 80s – tells of his meeting with the rocker (in Germany, in 1959: he is a soldier and she is the 14-year-old daughter of a soldier), of how he falls in love with him to the disappointment and concern of the girl’s parents («a baby») .
Priscilla Presley in Venice 80: “I was 14, but no sex with Elvis”
«The end», here is the part of the film that involved Priscilla Presley the most. A dry answer (and you will understand better by watching the film). Trying then to explain how difficult it is to describe which aspect involves more than a film that talks about one’s life, Priscilla had to surrender to the emotion of the memory, apologizing to the public.
Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla Presley in the film “Priscilla”) and Priscilla Presley at the Venice Film Festival 2023. (Getty Images)
«Sofia – continued Priscilla – did a masterful job. A long search from which I tried to bring out everything I could. It was very difficult for my parents to understand why Elvis was interested in me. And why. The explanation I’ve always given myself is in my nature, I’ve always been a great listener. He poured more than one confession on me. His fears, his longings, the loss of his mother that he could never get over. And I was the person who sat next to him and listened to him, and consoled”.
Jacob Elordi (Elvis) and Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) in a scene from the film by Sofia Coppola. (The Biennial)
“I was much more mature than my age, and that must have attracted him. People thought our relationship was just sex. Nothing more fake. I’ve never had sex with him at a young age. He was very kind, patient and sweet, a passionate man who, however, has always respected my 14 years».
About the end of the story, when he decided to leave the rockerPriscilla then specified that «it was not because she was no longer in love. Elvis was the love of my life. It was because of his lifestyle that was so hard for me to accept. We had our daughter (Lisa Marie Presley, died last January 12, ed), and I always made sure that he saw her when he wanted. It was like never having separated: I would like this to be clear to everyone ».
Priscilla does not yet have an Italian release date, but it was purchased by the Mubi platform.
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