Franca Rame, diva e antidiva: la scelta

The article develops the topic presented at the conference Roma Ricorda Franca Rame. A seemingly insignificant detail provides the starting point of the reflection on the transformation of Franca Rame, the Italian blonde “bombshell”, from diva to anti-diva. In the 1950s, the actress, who had already worked in cinema, refused offers from Michelangelo Antonioni, and later on, from Luchino Visconti because she was cross-eyed and shy. In reality, her refusal was the first sign of a conscious transformation of herself and of the meaning she wanted to give to her work. Success, being in the spotlight and the jet set life did not interest her. In 1962, she co-hosted the television variety show Canzonissima with Dario Fo, playing the part of a vamp very cleverly and comically, while speaking of mafia and workplace deaths. “Blondes” think to...