Coralina Cataldi Tassoni, an icon of Italian horror cinema, despite her busy schedule, granted us an interview regarding the history of her career and her current projects. We thank her for her availability and kindness.
Yours is a family of musicians, of artists. Since childhood you have been in contact with the world of music. How does your meeting with Dario Argento and thus your debut in film take place? Is it true that you had started working for television?
Yes, I started with TV. I was starring for a short film called IN SEARCH OF LOVE. Directed by Aida Mangia and Massimo Russo. Two people to whom I owe so much.
Dario Argento I met on a starry, enchanted night.
Always television is mentioned in Demons 2 by Lamberto Bava.
More than 20 years later, what has stuck in your mind about this debut? Would you be happy in being contacted for a possible third film in the saga?
The best memory is the day Lamberto Bava told me he wanted me in the role of Sally. I was happy every time Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava told me I was good and brave. A third Demons? Yes, of course.
While working on Demons 2 was also busy on the set of The nun of Monza By Luciano Odorisio.
You also starred with this director in Paradise Street.
These are, perhaps, your least famous works in your acting career. Do you consider these to be underrated films?
They are beautiful films, made with a delicate emotional thread. Of great value.
You took part in two films written by master Pupi Avati.
Both films deal with two major themes. In Childhood friend core of the film is friendship betrayed.
In The room next door, on the other hand, perhaps more sensitive topics such as psychiatric distress from traumas suffered.
Which film do you prefer between the two? How do you remember Avati on the set?
I did not see The Room Next Door. I wouldn't have made comparisons anyway. In regards to Pupi: He's a professional person with a great passion for his craft.
One of the most widely read Italian horror reviews on our site is that of the The forest 1 By Andrea Marfori...
You were probably expecting a question about this film (I know I am not original...).
Among fans of the genre, however, it is now, seriously, a cult film. Can you take away a very big curiosity? During the filming, did the general mood promise a serious horror film or a very disengaged one? Do you know whether or not there was a theatrical release?
No, I didn't expect that anymore. By now you know how I feel about it.
Probably the most important name that is linked to your career and more generally, to your life, is that of Dario Argento.
The Roman director still has many admirers and in fact his latest film, The third mother, was the Italian horror event of 2007. How do you judge the final result? Do you think the director is satisfied with it?
I am not a film critic. But I can say that I made a good film with a great friend. I prefer that questions of what other people think should be asked directly to them.
Your latest filmographic work is The Dirt Simonetti's. How does your fellow musician "fare" in the role of director? How about you, have you ever thought about going on the other side of the camera? Ever thought of merging all your passions (music, film, art) into a film?
The direction was by both Claudio Simonetti and his sister Simona. I would say that the word "getting by" is not appropriate by any stretch of the imagination as far as their efforts in general. They were outstanding and had so much faith in my artistic abilities.
I see all my passions already as one body. There is no distinction for me. As for directing: I have had that experience.
Any news about your future for our website readers?
I just wrote and directed together with Mariano Baino (Dark Waters) a 6-minute short film that serves as the "coming soon" for the book about me, "CORALINA: TRIBUTE TO CORALINA CATALDI-TASSONI", written by journalist/writer Filippo Brunamonti to be released in 2010.
Again together with Mariano Baino, I wrote another script, HIDDEN And we continue to write more. A symbiotic collaboration.
This last space, however, is all about you. Is there anything you care to say more than all my (perhaps boring ) questions?
Your questions are not boring. For the rest--you will have to read the book that will come out, "Coralina: Homage to Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni." , by Filippo Brunamonti.
