‘Bersagliera’ in Love of Bread and Fantasy and Love of Bread and Jealousy, Esmeralda in Notre Dame de Paris, acrobat in the trapeze, Paolina Bonaparte in Imperial Venus, the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ in the film with Vittorio Gassman, blonde seductress in The Dolls, Sheba in Solomon and the Queen of Sheba alongside Yul Brynner. They are among the images on a large canvas by Gina Lollobrigida, who accompanied those who came to pay homage to her on the first day of the funeral home (it will reopen tomorrow morning before the funeral in the Church of the Artists) in the Hall of the Protomoteca in the Campidoglio .
A clue to the controversies that marked the last part of the life of the actress, who died on January 16 at the age of 95, came from the presence of her ex-husband Francisco in the room dedicated to the family, next to the coffin of Javier Rigau, which was in the first Row sits where also Gina Lollobrigida’s son, Andrea Milko Skofic, his nephew Dimitri were. “I have so many good memories – said Rigau as he left the funeral home – this is not the time for controversy but for pain.”
ANSA. it
The great protagonist of Italian cinema was born in Subiaco on July 4, 1927 at the age of 95. In September, she was discharged from hospital after breaking her femur after a fall at home. Wednesday mortuary, Thursday funeral. PHOTO – From Art Studies to Hollywood: The Life and Career of Cinema Bersagliera. ANSA – CINEMA INFORMATION © ANSA
To pay homage to her, along with many ordinary people (few celebrities), the Mayor of Roma Capitale Roberto Gualtieri, who was present when the coffin arrived, the President of the Cinecittà Chiara Sbarigia, the Secretary of State for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni; Tiziana Rocca, organizer of various events for the actress, Vladimir Luxuria, the president of Anica Francesco Rutelli, Pino Strabioli and Adriano Aragozzini, a friend of Gina Lollobrigida, who denied that there had been “a clash with Rigau” at the exit in recent days got in front of the clinic where the actress was hospitalized. “As also shown by people’s affection for my mother, she was an independent, self-made woman, had a very strong character and made her own way at a time when women didn’t have all that autonomy – said Andrea Milko Skofic, during a Pause during the day spent in the Capitol -. Perhaps this is what leaves us more, his example”.
Putting the controversy aside, Skofic recalls: “When we last met, my mother was physically unwell. She couldn’t speak. We didn’t say much, but we tried to communicate that way.” In the Protomoteca room, in addition to large photos of the actress, there are also many crowns, such as those of the Ministry of Culture, Anica, Roma Capitale, Cinecittà of the Luce Archives and the Municipality of Subiaco. “Rome will remember this great artist, also with the Casa del Cinema and the Film Festival. I just spoke to the President of the Rome Cinema Foundation, Farinelli,” says Gualtieri. “We will try to establish everything that can be an everlasting memory of an exceptional woman and artist – Borgonzoni emphasizes – also by creating a prize for young actresses named after her”.
Many admirers who left a message in the registers at the entrance or red roses, the same flowers on the pillow over the coffin. Among them is Giovanni, a 56-year-old Puglian who has been living in Rome for years: “I have always been struck by the kindness of this great actress, she left her mark, tomorrow I will also go to the funeral.” Fabio, a 60-year-old Roman, arrived with his wife and two young daughters: “Gina Lollobrigida is a person who made Italy great, it was right. I am moved to be here.” The tribute, which will continue at the funeral tomorrow, is also from the Bersaglieri Association, with two members arriving in the customary plumed hats. “Gina has been a guest at some of our events like our national meeting in Pordenone – they explain -. It was a pleasure, she felt like a Bersagliere among the Bersaglieri”.