The strength and complexity of female characters — Interview with Nancy Brilli
The voice of this interview
Nicoletta “Nancy” Brilli
- Profession
- Member
- Country of origin
- Rome, Lazio, Italy
Nancy Brilli, actress, is at the heart of this conversation about the theme: the strength and complexity of female characters. The dialogue retraces experiences, choices and reflections that emerged during the interview, leaving room for the guest’s voice.
The beginnings and passion
What moments do you remember as decisive at the beginning of your career?
Brilli: Surely my debut in “If the weather was a shrimp”, when I decided that this would be my job.
You played strong, courageous and sensitive women. What character do you feel more representative and what characterizes it?
Brilli: Anemone in Manola by Margaret Mazzantini. The show was about the different ways of hearing two twins, which were the same person at the end. I loved it, to the point that I would do it again 20 years later.
Do you prefer to embody roles that suit your person or are far from your way of being?
Brilli: The more they are different from me, the more I enjoy.
“It’s better for the cinema, even if the usual are always the same, for the theater you will have to commit more”
Considered one of the actresses established in cinema and theatre, what did you find in the type of acting of these two different realities?
Brilli: That they are different, in fact.
The cinema and its stories
You interpreted Mirandolina in Goldoni’s “The Inn” which I’m studying with my academy. How challenging was it to understand and express the emotions of the character?
Brilli: It was very inspiring. Above all, check if you could take a position that can be shared between the author’s intentions, contemporaryity.
In 1990 you won two important awards (David di Donatello e Nastri d’argento) in the film “Little misunderstandings” by Ricky Tognazzi. What have these two prestigious awards symbolized for your artistic and life career?
Brilli: With all due respect, fabulous braces.
“Surely my debut in “If the weather was a shrimp”, when I decided that this would be my job”
How do you imagine the future of cinema and theatre?
Brilli: That there is a lot to do. For the cinema it is better, even if to do so are always usual, for the theater you will have to commit more.
What are the models you have inspired to become a great actress?
Brilli: Inspired, no one. I always liked Mariangela Melato.
Inspirations and references
What is the soundtrack of your professional personal journey?
Brilli: I don't have any.
Who would you like to thank for your professional personal journey? What will your future projects be?
Brilli: Professionally definitely Pasquale Squitieri for the first film, and Garinei/Fiastri/Trovajoli/Miseria for the first show. Ricky Tognazzi for Small Equivocs and Mazzantini for Manola. The entrepreneurs Lucio Ardenzi and Massimo Chiesa. The Vanzina brothers. Giorgio Capitani. For life, so many people, but it is a private list that I hold in my heart.
