The murder of Elisa Claps
For Elisa – The Claps Case tells the story of the murder of Elisa Claps, who died in Potenza at the age of 16. Fanpage.it interviewed Giulio Della Monica. The actor, who plays the murderer Danilo Restivo in the TV series Rai1, talked about how he transformed into the character, what emotional burden a similar role brings and how touching it was to meet Gildo Claps, the victim’s brother.
For Elisa – The Claps Case: Interview with Giulio Della Monica, actor who plays Danilo Restivo
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The murder of Elisa Claps
For Elisa – The Claps Case is the series with Gianmarco Saurino And Giulio Della Monica that tells the story of Elisa clapsthe sixteen year old who was murdered Danilo Restivo on September 12, 1993. His remains were found seventeen years after the murder Holy Trinity Church from Potenza. On Tuesday November 7th, Rai1 will broadcast the third and final episode of the drama directed by Marco Pontecorvo, whose plot tells the story of the murder of Heather Barnett. Fanpage.it interviewed Giulio Della Monica, the actor who won over critics and audiences with his extraordinary interpretation of the murderer Danilo Restivo. Giulio Della Monica is 33 years old, lives in Rome and was born in Salerno. In 2014 he completed his studies at the Teatro Stabile in Genoa. After working in the theater for a long time, he auditioned for the series Per Elisa – Il caso Claps and convinced the director Marco Pontecorvo, who wanted him in the cast: “He believed in me a lot and I am grateful to him for that. “ “. Between anecdotes and behind the scenes, the actor also told Fanpage.it the exciting meeting with Gildo clapsElisa’s brother:
Gildo Claps didn’t want to meet us actors who played the Restivo family. On an emotional level it was too difficult for him, it was painful. We didn’t see each other for three months, then I met him by chance. I left the hotel while he entered. We were squeezed into the space between the two entrances. He recognized me and I recognized him. I told him: “I’m Giulio, I’m an actor, I’m not Restivo,” and we hugged and changed.
The Claps Case: Giulio Della Monica is Danilo Restivo, the murderer of Elisa Claps
Danilo Restivo in the fiction Per Elisa – The Claps Case is played by Giulio Della Monica
Her performance as Danilo Restivo was exceptional. How did this transformation come about that led to you looking so much like him on screen?
After being selected, I studied the character with director Marco Pontecorvo. Then I worked with a psychologist to look for a point of contact between me and a person who was so far away from me. I have studied criminology and psychology manuals that describe the personality profile of serial killers. There is almost always one or more serious pathologies behind it, often associated with hostile socio-cultural contexts, unfavorable family or social environments or a traumatic childhood. I learned to humanize these monsters because they are seen as such, as something non-human. Instead, they are people with thousands of problems. They contain not only evil and violence, but often also great fragility. However, I would like to make one thing clear.
Elisa Claps, protests against the reopening of the church where she was found dead in Potenza: “Shame!”
Please.
As I said, serial killers can have different pathologies. Together with Marco Pontecorvo we decided on a work: dissociative identity disorder. But this is the character inspired by Danilo Restivo, the reality is a little different. While Dorset Police were investigating Heather Barnett’s murder, they called in the FBI, and even they couldn’t determine exactly what profile the serial killer Restivo was.
How did you achieve this physical resemblance to Elisa Claps’ murderer?
Believe it or not, I lost weight because of the series (laughs, editor’s note). I lost 10 kilos but slowly gained it back. If you notice, there are actually scenes where I’m thinner than others because Restivo ended up being a lot fatter. The rest is thanks to makeup and hair.
With what mindset did you approach such a complex role?
I was so afraid of different things. First of all, about the character himself, about the fact that it was a true story, so current and close to us. I was afraid I would be associated with Restivo. Then I decided to take the plunge and found the courage despite the great fear.
As you approached Danilo Restivo’s story, did you understand the mechanism by which he got to this point?
I could understand it, but I couldn’t justify it. There is a difference. I condemn what he did. With this role I learned to let the contradictions that exist in the human soul coexist, you can both empathize with him and condemn him for his actions. Otherwise, I left myself to the facts, the history and the emotional currents of the character. I would like to bring you a statement that I received while filming in Potenza.
Is it about Danilo Restivo?
Yes, a stubborn man stopped me. He understood that I was going to play Danilo Restivo and launched insults at him. At one point he told me: “When Danilo was a child, we beat him. We beat him and you know what he did? He laughed.” I replied: “Does a person who laughs when he is hit seem okay to you?” And he: “But whenever. He wasn’t sick, he was just frustrated, repressed.” It’s one of those things that makes you say, “I understand it, but I don’t justify it.” However, I would like to point out that I don’t know whether this person told me the truth.
Meeting Elisa Claps’ brother: “The emotional hug between me and Gildo”
Elisa Claps and her brother Gildo Claps
The Claps family acted as consultants in the production of the Rai1 miniseries. Did you have the opportunity to meet Gildo Claps?
Gildo Claps didn’t want to interact with us actors who played the Restivo family. Even if he knew how to rationally separate fiction from reality, on an emotional level it was too difficult for him, it was painful. He had difficulty meeting us and we understood that. We didn’t see each other for three months, then I met him by chance.
How did it go?
I was leaving the hotel when he came in and we found ourselves squeezed into the space between the two entrances. He recognized me and I recognized him. I told him: “I’m Giulio, I’m an actor, I’m not Restivo,” and we hugged and changed. His wife Irene was also there. Since that day he has loosened up a bit. He came to greet us on set, whereas earlier he said he couldn’t be there. This allows us to understand how we told something that was still sensitive and painful.
Which scene was the most emotional for you? Most difficult to shoot.
My character had one after another. There was a moment when I was so impressed that I fainted. I am pale. Marco Pontecorvo cheered me up by telling me, “Don’t do that.” It was the scene where I came back from the church with a bloody hand after killing Elisa. I just fainted. Even now that I tell you it’s hard for me. I was covered in blood. I identified with this state of excitement. In the scene where I entered the prison I had a panic attack. I also felt bad about the interrogation scene in London, which will be in the final episode. That was also emotionally charged.
What did you feel when you saw yourself on TV in the series “Per Elisa – Il caso Claps”?
When we saw the first two preview episodes with the cast it was very strange, I had the impression that it wasn’t me. I looked at myself, but I didn’t see myself. Then I got used to it. I’m looking forward to the final episode because that’s where the most noticeable transformation, the complete development of my character.
What is the best memory you will take away from your experience on set?
The hug with Gildo Claps. That was really an important moment for me. Nobody knows, but I went to the set every day with fear, with an emotional burden, also because Gildo didn’t want to meet us. This hug was the most beautiful moment for me. A family was created with all the actors. We talk and every occasion is a good reason to meet.
Elisa Claps’ body was found 17 years after the murder
Elisa Claps was killed by Danilo Restivo at the age of 16
The church of Santissima Trinità in Potenza, where the remains of Elisa Claps were found 17 years after the murder, has reopened for worship. The protest led by Gildo Claps was followed by a sharp reaction from the Archdiocese of Potenza.
Yesterday I called Gildo about it. I told him that I thought there was a lack of dialogue, even though the Claps family had taken a step towards it. I hope a meeting point is reached and this family’s pain is respected. You could place a plaque in memory of Elisa during a mass. There are a thousand possibilities. Whether you believe or not, the word of Jesus Christ says to embrace one another. It would be something deeply Christian.
Where will we see you again after this role?
In the series Vanina Guarrasi (tentative title, ed.), in which I will play a good-natured police officer. The opposite of the previous role. It will be broadcast on Canale5.
For Elisa – The Claps Case with Giulio Della Monica in the leading role