FROM OUR REPORTER
BERLIN Unlike the other protagonist of her new series One trillion Dollars (available November 23 on Paramount+), Alessandra Mastronardi didn’t become the richest person in the world overnight. But when she was twenty, her life also suddenly changed when she took part in a project like the Cesaroni, which forcibly took her into the world of entertainment. “Sometimes I wonder how things would have turned out if I had gone to acting school instead of learning this profession through osmosis. But then I tell myself that things happen when they have to happen,” he says with his usual grace and gentle smile. She speaks spontaneously, doesn’t hide behind empty phrases and explains that her character Franca is finally “a mature woman through whom I can show a new part of myself.” She knows who she is and what she wants: she works in a man’s world, the world of finance, and not just at eye level, but perhaps even a little above them. He will help the protagonist (Philip Froissant), who, as a horseman in Germany, inherits a fortune in Italy that makes him the richest man in the world, manage this fortune and the risks associated with it. And if he has the last word, Franca always has the first.
Claudio Amendola – Giulio Cesaroni
Claudio Amendola – career
Elena Sofia Ricci – Lucia Liguori
Elena Sofia Ricci – Career
Antonello Fassari – Cesare Cesaroni
Antonello Fassari – career
Max Tortora – Ezio Masetti
Rita Savagnone – Gabriella Lanfranchi
Rita Savagnone – career
Matteo Branciamore – Marco Cesaroni
Matteo Branciamore – Career
Alessandra Mastronardi – Eva Cudicini
Alessandra Mastronardi – career
Niccolò Centioni – Rudi Cesaroni
Niccolò Centioni – career
Micol Olivieri – Alice Cudicini
Micol Olivieri – Career
Federico Russo – Mimmo Cesaroni
Federico Russo – career
The first merit
This German thriller, which is premiering in France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and Latin America, among others, is based on Eschbach’s 1970 book of the same name and asks the question: How would we behave if we were suddenly the richest people? the world? “I would like my character: with the necessary means, I would try to dismantle the world financial system.” It fascinates me that this series shows the core of the problem that needs to be solved from within.” She bought with her first important income a car: “A victory for independence.” But a small one, I wasn’t exaggerating. I too would be destroyed if I had to hold a huge sum of money in my hands, I’m sure that doesn’t bring happiness. And for this reason too he said: “Many no.” Including an ad for a clothing company that offered me a huge sum of money. Those close to me said: Are you stupid? It was half an hour’s work, but I would never have worn those clothes. How do I say I should buy them?
The sense of responsibility
What he loves about this German series (played in English) is “the absence of do-gooderism: there is no melody, it is very rough.” German series are ahead in this regard: they have to tell a story and that’s what they do, they don’t think to political correctness. There is more courage. Before there was Rai and Mediaset, which only created certain atmospheres imposed by the mainstream. But they are no longer up to date. The platforms have opened horizons.” And therefore: “No, I would not take part in a possible return of Cesaroni.” The cycles are closing, it would make no sense to bring back my character, who should have become a grandmother by now. I made a decision, and once I made it, I’m not going back: it wasn’t me anymore, I wanted to raise the bar. And no, I wouldn’t even watch the series, but would rather go to dinner with the cast. She feels responsible as an actress for the projects she chooses: “I wouldn’t even do Sanremo, I wouldn’t go there, it’s not mine.” As an actress, I feel the responsibility not to take myself seriously, but because I believe that anyone who has an audience should feel that. Especially politicians, but they seem to forget: now there is no difference between a reality show and a session in parliament. They say they are the mirror of Italy, but no, we are not like that.”
The women’s moment
On the show, it’s girl time. Many actresses have become directors, with great success: “I just say two words: It’s about time.” “Me Too” was just a child’s play in our country, but now a wave is coming that will definitely not break. Personally, I’m not interested in directing, but I am interested in writing.” One Billion Dollar also features other Italian actors, Greta Scacchi and Orso Maria Guerrini. And the series is also filmed in Italy. Italians in the shoes of the Italians. But he has clear ideas about the controversy sparked by Favino: “I don’t like absolutism and I think he was misinterpreted.” I would have liked not so much that an Italian had interpreted Ferrari’s story, but that it was an Italian one production would be. Just like Gucci: why didn’t we do it? Things are going accordingly. When the Americans revolted Troy afterward, it wasn’t as if the Greeks were revolting. When she talks about her journey, she feels like “she has fallen many times.” Wrong projects or wrong approach. But then everything becomes a lesson. In my career we have always looked back to the past, to what I did 17 years ago. This is why I moved to London to live eight years ago: I couldn’t overcome the prejudices I felt. I had to find myself and it happened: now this cycle has closed. I’m 37 years old, but in my life I often feel like I’ve started over: now I only want to do things that I really believe in.