His latest film,Parthenope, is no exception.
But hes also not afraid to take chances with unproven talent.
A film school graduate, she had previously starred in a short film and two TV miniseries.
Celeste Dalla Porta in ‘Parthenope’.Credit:Gianni Fiorito/A24
WhileParthenopefeatures a star-studded cast, Dalla Porta is the sun around which her more experienced colleagues orbit.
Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.
Her stunning beauty opens doors but also leads her peers to underestimate her intelligence and wit.
Celeste Dalla Porta, Dario Aita, and Daniele Rienzo in ‘Parthenope’.Gianni Fiorito/A24
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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you first get involved with the film?
CELESTE DALLA PORTA:I got this role after several auditions with Paolo.
Paolo Sorrentino and Stefania Sandrelli on the set of ‘Parthenope’.Gianni Fiorito/A24
What was your first impression of Paolo?
Before I went for my very first interview, I was very emotional, and I was shaking.
I was literally shaking.
Celeste Dalla Porta and Isabella Ferrari in ‘Parthenope’.Gianni Fiorito/A24
He’s very open.
He was interested in getting to know me, in understanding who I was.
He was always very discreet.
Celeste Dalla Porta in ‘Parthenope’.Gianni Fiorito/A24
He didn’t give me a lot of information about the character.
I was very pleasantly surprised.
What was your reaction when you learned that you had gotten the part?
Well, naturally, I was so emotional.
It was one of the most emotional moments of my entire life, the strongest emotion I ever felt.
Therefore, I was overwhelmed by such conflicting emotions.
There was happiness but then anxiety and fear.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to delve deep into such a beautiful character.
Well, that’s great enough for me.
What do you think Paolo saw in your audition that he chose you for the role?
Well, I don’t know.
I really don’t know what he saw in me.
I’m still wondering myself.
So he saw in me this ability to cover that range.
And also the fact that I devoted myself to the study of the script so deeply.
I really put a lot of effort into it.
Also, the fact that I did not have any film experience before I went to film school.
I’d never acted in a movie.
I thought at first that that could be a limitation that wouldn’t lead him to pick me.
Having said that, this is a question for him because I can just come up with theories.
How would you describe Parthenope, and how do you relate to her?
I tackled her by reading the script and then by talking to Paolo.
A woman who loves life and who is involved in mystery.
And she is detached.
So, she’s a woman who protects her feelings and her thoughts.
And in this way, she manages to wiggle across situations.
And we immediately looked for and found a very, very strong connection, a very special connection.
What was it like working with Gary Oldman and some of the other legends in this film?
What did you learn from them?
Having the opportunity to meet and work with actors of that caliber is something that I will never forget.
It’s just grand.
Gary Oldman is an extraordinary actor, and he’s always listening to his fellow actors.
He has the ability to sort of take you with him and never make you feel insecure or shy.
It’s as if he envelopes you in his way of acting, which is master-like.
And he has a level of being humble and such an inner beauty, which is so astonishing.
Working with him and the other high-caliber actors who were involved in the project was so incredible.
And Gary Oldman was, of course, one of them.
And that’s definitely something that bonds us, something that we did together, the character and I.
That’s one more reason why I will always be grateful for this adventure.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
