How actress Monica Vitti went against beauty standards and became the face of the era herself
Fashion is fickle, and it's not just about clothes. Beauty standards are also changing. If earlier cosmetics, diets and hairdressers helped women to match them, today “beauty injections” and plastic surgeries are also used. But not everyone wants to be in trend. The blond Italian Monica Vitti did not look like the ideal of her time. But she was not going to adapt, but she herself became the one who equaled millions of women.
Maria Luisa Ceciarelli, later known to the world as Monica Vitti, was born in Rome in 1931. The girl grew up very lively and artistic. Even in elementary school, she willingly participated in school theater productions. The choice of profession for Mary was obvious and after school she entered the Roman Academy of Dramatic Arts.
While still a student, Maria began to play in the theater, and in 1952 the debut of a young actress in the cinema took place. It was a comedy “Laugh! Laugh! Laugh!”, which was well received by the audience. In the credits, the actress appeared as Monica Vitti. Maria came up with this pseudonym by shortening her mother's maiden name - Vittilya.
The talented young actress liked the audience, but it was not enough. Despite the obvious success, the directors were in no hurry to bombard the girl with offers. Only one cinematographer became interested in the actress, but set a condition. Monica had to undergo plastic surgery and get rid of the hump on the bridge of her nose. She was also recommended to get better, as thin actresses were not in fashion. Of course, the girl refused.
For several years, Monica's career was quiet. She played in the theater, but she could only dream of cinema. But then a fateful event happened in her life - an acquaintance with director Michelangelo Antonioni. At first they were connected by a creative union, but then it grew into a close relationship. Vitti and Antonioni have been together for 10 years and have made quite a few good films. Among them, it is worth noting the paintings "Adventure", "Night", "Eclipse" and "Red Desert".
The joint life of the actress and director was not easy. Antonioni called Monica his muse, and it was true. But at the same time, the woman understood that she was only a valuable resource for the maestro, but by no means a beloved woman. Everything was complicated by the fact that Antonioni was terribly jealous and constantly made scandals about this. After one of them, Vitti said she wanted to leave.
The break went without a hitch. Monica Vitti by that time was a real star of Italian cinema. Antonioni did not refuse to cooperate with the actress and, moreover, good friendly relations remained between the former spouses. In 1981, their next joint project was released - the film "The Secret of Oberwald".
Having taken place as an actress, Monica Vitti tried herself as a director and screenwriter. Here, too, success awaited her - the film "Flirting", filmed according to her script, received several awards at European film festivals. But this was not the main thing - thanks to this picture, Vitti met a new love. She was the famous director Roberto Russo.
The couple's relationship lasted 30 years before the couple got married. For many years, Monica was adamant - she remembered her marriage to Antonioni and did not want family life to interfere with creativity. Only in old age did the actress accept the proposal of the man she had loved for so many years.
Monica Vitti starred into her late teens and was in her 60s when she won the Best Actress award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. It was the movie Don't Miss Assunta. In total, during her career, the actress received 5 Italian national film awards "David di Donatello". Only one colleague, Sophia Loren, surpassed her in the number of such awards.
The last years of her life, Monica Vitti was seriously ill. She did not appear in public and did not communicate with reporters. The actress passed away on February 2, 2022. The value of this woman for world cinema can hardly be overestimated. She proved by her example that real talent will open the way to the top, even if the face and body do not meet the standards of beauty.