Asia Argento, the Italian actress, filmmaker, and musician, is set to grace the prestigious Locarno Film Festival with her presence. She will receive the festival's Life Achievement Award, a testament to her remarkable career and impact on the industry. This recognition comes as a delightful surprise for Argento, who had been self-deprecating about her lack of involvement with the festival in the past.
In an exclusive interview with THR, Argento opens up about her upcoming projects, including her role in the film 'Death Has No Master' and her involvement in an executive producer capacity for a documentary on the late supermodel Gia Carangi. She reflects on her journey, the challenges she's faced, and the recognition she's received, offering a unique perspective on her craft and the industry.
A Journey of Self-Discovery and Recognition
Argento's journey to this point has been one of self-discovery and pushing boundaries. She acknowledges that her work has sometimes been criticized for its extremity and challenge to societal norms, particularly in her portrayal of complex, tormented characters. However, she sees this as a sign of her growth and a validation of her artistic choices.
"I see this as a sign of the universe that I’m going in the right direction," she says. "With my work, I was in the past [sometimes] criticized for it being a little bit extreme and pushing the boundaries of what was accepted from a woman, as an actress, as a filmmaker. What I was trying to achieve created this gut unease, and now this is a way of the universe telling me that I did the right thing at the right time."
Exploring Complex Characters and Themes
Argento's fascination with complex characters and themes is evident in her choice of projects. She delves into roles that are nonlinear, tormented, and deeply rooted in history. Her latest film, 'Death Has No Master', explores the themes of colonialism and trauma, challenging her to understand and portray a racist character. The production process was demanding, requiring extensive research and a deep connection with the character's historical context.
"It was pretty hard, because we developed the script and the character a lot while we rehearsed for a month before the shoot in the locations with all the non-actors there," she explains. "As we were preparing, I realized, 'My God, my character is a racist; she’s really not somebody that I would like to meet.'"
Executive Producing a Documentary on Gia Carangi
Argento's passion for storytelling extends beyond acting and filmmaking. She has signed on as an executive producer for the documentary 'Gia - The Shadow of Beauty', which explores the life of the late supermodel Gia Carangi. Argento is drawn to Carangi's complex arc in the world of show business, her struggles with addiction, and the challenges of being a lesbian in a time of great societal taboo.
"I was always fascinated by Gia Carangi and her arc in this show business world," she says. "She was somebody who was a very smart girl who was not fully inside the system. She was very broken and then had her battles with addiction. And there is also the fact that she was lesbian at a time when that was a huge taboo. So, there are many fascinating [themes and issues] to explore."
Argento's involvement in this documentary showcases her commitment to telling powerful stories and shedding light on lesser-known aspects of the entertainment industry.
