“ANDI was totally unaware of the fact that, while I was running around on my bike, some of the employees of Emanuele Crialese had seen in me the possible protagonist of his new film “he says, still with a hint of disbelief, Luana Giuliani, the thirteen-year-old protagonist of “The immensity“the cinematographic work of the Roman director, presented at the Venice Film Festival 2022.
Luana Giuliani Credit Angelo Turetta
The meeting with Emanuele Crialese
The search for the ideal interpreter of a role as intimate as it is universal, in fact, took place among girls who were passionate about male sports: Luana, in fact, is a motorcycle champion, distinguished by that determination and courage that Crialese considers necessary skills to play the character of Adriana, her alter ego.
«Our first meeting took place 4 years ago, I was a child with no acting experience when Emanuele, following the recommendation of his team, called my mother to start undergoing several auditions. Initially I thought it was an interview about my motorcycle activity, I was stunned, I was catapulted into a totally new world. When he told me that, in my gaze and in my ways of doing, he had found a special light, I understood that a unique adventure was beginning.»So the debut actress remembers her first steps on the set which, for about 7 months, became her second home.
Luana Giuliani, from the bikes to the Crialese set
For Luana it was not easy to leave the motorcycle circuits in order not to risk getting injured during the shooting period, but soon the cinematic world won his heart.
«Emanuele – he remembers – initially had a 10-year-old girl in mind as the protagonist, but, following our“ shock ”, he decided to adapt the screenplay to my age. I was 12 years old, in the height of adolescence, as still today, I was constantly changing, so much so that they were trying to hurry to complete the shooting ».
Empathy with the director and the coach
The film debut, with the unconscious responsibility of playing a leading role in a film that revolves around the director’s personal experience of transition from woman to manwas facilitated by the great empathy created with Crialese, but also by daily work carried out by the coach Carlo Gallo, among other things in the cast with the role of Alberto, uncle of little Adriana.
“Led by Emanuele and Carlo, respectively my teacher and my athletic trainer, together with the other 3 children protagonists of the film – also newcomers – we have embarked on a path of workshops, games, training exercises that have helped us to get to know each other and to create a family in front of the camera, and not only. We were not trapped in a role nor were we taught to act: Emanuele’s creativity was in constant evolution, as soon as the room was turned on he was able to create a magic, he left us free to express our emotions in the moment “he says, focusing on value of freedom which, in reality, is the hallmark of “The immensity”.
From left, on the red carpet, Carlo Gallo, Patrizio Francioni, Penelope Cruz, Maria Chiara Goretti, Emanuele Crialese, Luana Giuliani and Vincenzo Amato Credit Warner Bros. Pictures
The importance of freedom
Although she is very young, Luana also has clear ideas about the concept of freedom: «each of us must be free to decide on his own life, to affirm himself, as he is. Someone, inevitably, judges me because I practice a sport that is not very feminineit happens that they do not believe in my skills as a motorcyclist just because I am female, but I run my own way with my bike and, in those moments, I feel really free ».
A sensation that she also experienced on the set, where she discovered how to transform her strength into emotional sensitivity, fueling a curiosity that makes her able to get involved and explore new worlds.
The maternal bond
It was also to help her to bring out her talent that she did not recognize Penélope Cruz in the role of the mother who, in order to make up for the fragile family balance, pours her desire for freedom onto her children, especially the firstborn, played by Luana, who wants to convince everyone that she is a boy.
«My mother – he adds – is fundamental in my life, she guards all my confidence and knows how to take care of my moments of fragility. She has always been present on the set, where I had the honor of working alongside a cinema icon, who she immediately established a maternal relationship with us small actors. For me, Penélope is the symbol of humanity and humilitywe spent many afternoons, even off the set, with his children ».
The “immensity” of emotions
Crialese, without the need for artificial constructions, has created interpersonal connections that have transformed the set into a big family. «There was such a relaxed atmosphere that, if I think about it, I think I haven’t worked even a day. Emanuele was keen to preserve our spontaneity “says Luana, dwelling on a crucial moment that has strengthened her relationship with the director:”I was in his dressing room, a week away from the end of shooting when he revealed to me that the character I was playing was actually him as a child. There was no need for words, I looked him in the eye and hugged him ».
A scene from the film “The immensity” with Penélope Cruz – Credit Angelo Turetta
The magic of the Venice Film Festival
The same emotional tension was experienced by the little actress, on the occasion of the presentation of the film in Venice: “to tell the truth – she confesses – when I saw the film for the first time, I didn’t like it, I was afraid of not being up to it, but Emanuele heartened me by saying “you were fantastic, you will realize it in Venice” ».
And so it was: before the 12 minutes of applause in theaters for the film produced by Wildside with Chapter 2, Warner Bros. Italy, Pathé and France 3 Cinema, released in theaters from September 15, Luana, together with the whole cast, did not hold back the tears for the emotion of this first important role that hopefully will sanction the beginning of an artistic career, but undeniably taught her the importance of looking with the eyes of freedom.
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