Reinvents herself for diverse roles
|
Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of famous parents, put in stints as a teacher, translator, journalist and model before turning actress. She never let comparisons with her mother faze her as, she tells KAUSALYA SANTHANAM, her `style is different.'
|
Isabella Rossellini
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI as Josephine, in Hallmark Channel's mini television series "Napoleon," lights up the screen. The incredulity and joy on her face when Napoleon proposes to her, the anguish when her husband leaves her for the Austrian princess to beget an heir, and the concern and calm affection of one who is no longer wife but friend... the emotions are like the play of light and shadow on her luminous face.
This is perhaps not surprising in an artiste who is the daughter of such a legendary pair, the breathtaking star Ingrid Bergman and the brilliant Italian director Roberto Rossellini.
The stunning photographs that accompany the e-mail interview with Isabella Rossellini show her strong resemblance to her mother.
Isabella has proved her talent in amazingly diverse roles since she first played a bit part in her mother's film "A Matter of Time" in 1976. Was there much pressure on her to fulfil expectations... as the daughter of such famous parents? ``The pressure was high,'' she says . ``Not from my parents ... from everyone else! People would always tell me that I was supposed to be an actress because my mother was one! That was not good enough reason for me though. I had to experiment with other things that I enjoyed before I really decided what my calling was.''
Famed model
After growing up in Italy, Isabella went to the U.S. when she was 19 and studied in New York. On her return to Rome, she put in stints as a teacher, translator and a journalist. ``I like to invent and reinvent myself,'' she says.
Then, as a model, hers was the face that launched a thousand products for the Lancome cosmetics empire. She adorned more than 500 magazine covers and appeared in countless commercials and became one of the best known models in the West.
``Modelling makes one immediately familiar to people. It makes you a celebrity. I owe my acting career to my modelling.
``Once I became an actress, people continued to compare me with my mother but I didn't let that bother me in any way. I am a different person and my style is different.''
Did she observe her mother's films closely and did she absorb from them? ``My mother was a classic actress and I did try to understand the minute details she would get into while playing a character. She had several films that were close to her heart. We did not discuss films too much at length but yes, `Casablanca' was one that was very dear to her.''
As an actress ...
Isabella has acted in a number of films in carefully picked roles. Among them are "White Nights," "Blue Velvet," "Red Riding Hood," "Tough Guys Don't Dance," "Zelly and Me," "Sky will Fall," "Wyatt Earp," "Immortal Beloved," "Cousins," "The Saddest Music in the World" and "The Pursuit of Happiness." She has been associated with great directors such as (ex-husband) Martin Scorsese and David Lynch (who was her partner from 1986-91). She has left her impress on television too... "Lies of the Twins," "Fallen Angels," "The Gift," "Crime of the Century," "The Odyssey," "Merlin," "Don Quixote" ...
Her breakthrough role in the then controversial film "Blue Velvet" in 1986 brought Isabella much critical acclaim. The film, directed by David Lynch, has variously been described as ``strangely beautiful'' and ``one of the most elegantly shocking films of all time.''
Isabella gave an outstanding portrayal as a small town nightclub singer in this movie, with its nude scenes and sombre tones, about the dark underside of suburban life.
Learning process
How difficult was it to do "Blue Velvet" and which are the films she has enjoyed doing the most?
``Some of the scenes in `Blue Velvet' were very difficult at first... '' she says. ``We actually did `those scenes' in a closed set. We spent long hours rehearsing... Over a period of time, we were in sync with the mood of the film. In fact, we spent so much time together and got so friendly that we too started giving our perspective to the way a particular role could be played. It was fun.
``I enjoyed `Zelly and Me,' `Blue Velvet,' `Funeral,' `Wild at Heart,' `Napoleon' ... the list is endless. I enjoyed most of the films I've acted in as the roles were well selected and I have got along very well with my co-stars. Each film has been an excellent learning and maturing process for me as an actress.''
What are her criteria for choosing a role and how much scope and opportunity is there for an Italian actress like her in Hollywood films?
"...I look at the character I am required to play and how stimulating it would be for me as an actor. I like to try `different things' and also do `things differently.' The film makers and the team I have to work with also play an important role in my choosing to do a film. The industry is very competitive and there is struggle. But if you have the talent, I don't think there is any stopping.''
How much research did she undertake for the role of Josephine? How well received was the series and the performance?
``As Josephine I had to get under the skin of the character and behave, dress, speak, look and feel the emotions the way she did. Since you watched it, you must have observed the minute detailing that was taken care of. The series was very well received ... and I received several accolades too for my performance.''
As for the films she is working on now, ``I am going through a few scripts but nothing is confirmed so far. My family is my priority now and I want to spend as much time as I can with them,'' says Isabella, who has a daughter (Elettra-Ingrid Wiedemann) and an adopted son (Roberto Rossellini).
``There are not too many assignments I take up at one time... I am aging you know,'' jokes the 52-year-old actress.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
