To Repubblica: “Borotalco is my most important film. Before filming I had decided to leave the cinema, then the call came from Cecchi Gori “
In Repubblica, an interview with Carlo Verdone: Borutalco, one of his most famous films, is 40 years old. But before the film, says the director, he was thinking about quitting.
«When Bianco, Rosso and Verdone appeared, the producers at that time Sergio Leone and Medusa were happy. But Leon was going towards other projects and he didn’t have time for my followers ».
They did not renew his contract, but did not tell him, he figured out the matter himself.
“Weeks go by, the phone doesn’t ring. Despite the success, Davids and Nastari are all gone.”
So consider letting it go.
I went back to university to find a professor of the history of religions, hoping to enroll as his assistant. I found out that he committed suicide. In those weeks I didn’t know what to do with my life. Then the phone rings. My agent says Producer Mario Chiki Juri wants to meet me. He saw Bianco, Rosso and Verdone of late, and was shocked by the figure of the dumb immigrant who exploded violently against Italy. “I trust you. We’re making a movie and if all goes well, we’ll sign up for four more. But let’s focus on a unique character.”
Verdoni began writing, took nearly a year and delivered six topics, and then found enlightenment.
“Borotalco is out. We took the script to Mario Seichi Guri and he said “I liked it, great title”. He didn’t know that Manetti and Roberts would threaten us with lawsuits, and he only stopped when the movie was a success.”
Moana Pozzi made her debut in Borutalco. Tell us how he met her.
“I met her at Troisi’s house. She was beautiful, I thought of Massimo’s infinite flame, the greatest invader I’ve ever known. We had a conversation. When I searched Giorgi’s house in the movie, I opened a girl in Trastevere, I saw the house except for the room where the roommate was sleeping, it’s 12.30. We insisted: I met the girl at Troisi’s house. He was only wearing a pair of underwear. I told her I had a role for her, in the office the next day I explained the role of the bath lover. “No problem with nudists.”
For the film he risked a fight with Lucio Dalla, who is part of the film’s soundtrack.
“The producer lined the streets with a huge label named My Baby. He called me angry.” It’s not. Now I see the movie, if I don’t like it I will sue you. ” He went to Bologna, there were no tickets left, saw him sitting on the floor, he was moved. The next day at eight he called: “I forgive you for making a good movie” ».
Verdone realized he had signed the song on the night of the movie’s release.
“The cashier at Cinema Corso told us that she made a lot of money. He arrived with a Cecchi Gori cigar, he knew everything. A week later, to get me out of the market and from contacts with other producers, he took us to Bali with my wife and wife for 20 days, Borutalco is the most important film In my career, if he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be here now.”