“There is a fountain of youth: it is in your mind, in your talents, in the creativity you give life to. When you learn to tap into this source, you will have truly conquered age.”. So SOphia Loren who turns 90 today, September 20. To celebrate her birthday, the great diva chose Rome.I love this city where it all began. I arrived in Rome with my mother when I was 15 and I started working as an extra – she explained – It was a choice that changed the course of my life”.
The great diva celebrates surrounded by her dearest loved ones, her children Edoardo and Carlo Pontidaughters-in-law, four grandchildren, sister Maria Scicolone and his nieces, Alessandra and Elisabetta MussolinBut also by a hundred colleagues and friends.
Loren's 90th birthday is also celebrated by the Ministry of Culture, Cinecittà and Archivio Luce with a special strictly private event at the Space Cinema Moderno. One of the most beloved Italian actresses of all time receives a prestigious and unprecedented award dedicated to her. It was delivered by the Undersecretary of Culture Lucie Borgonzoni And Chiara Sbarigia, President of Cinecittà.
The event is part of the series of initiatives that Cinecittà is organizing to celebrate Sophia Loren's ninetieth birthday, including Lincoln Center in New York and the tribute already announced to Academy Museum of Los Angeles scheduled for November.
Celebrations and initiatives also in his native country. A pop fresco was created on the house of Pozzuoli where the diva spent her childhood. Municipal and Regional retrospectives with films and meetings are also scheduled.
His long career
Sophia Loren, born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, was born in Rome on September 20, 1934 but grew up in Pozzuoli, near Naples. Before entering the world of cinema, she took all the classic paths of those trying to climb the ladder to success: she participated in beauty contests, starred in photo novels and small film roles under the pseudonym of Sofia Lazzaro.
On the set of “Africa under the sea” (Giovanni Roccardi1952) is noticed by Carlo Pontiher future husband, who offered her a seven-year contract.
So Sophia began a film career that initially saw her playing commoner roles, such as in “Neapolitan Carousel” (1953) by Ettore Giannini, “The Gold of Naples” (1954) by Vittorio De Sica and “The Handsome Miller” (1955) by Mario Camerini. Then in Hollywood alongside stars like Cary Grant, Marlon Brando, William Holden and Clark Gable. He soon reaches the world famous also thanks to its exuberant beauty which leaves hardly anyone indifferent.
Not only has he become a true icon, but he has also won some of the most coveted awards in the industry: the Volpi Cup in 1958 for “Black orchid” Of Martin Ritt And the oscar and the Best Performance Award at Cannes for “The ciociara (1960) by Vittorio De Sica.
In 1991, he suddenly received the oscarTHE Caesar for his entire career and the Legion of Honor. In any case, after the Hollywood glories of her golden age (the one inevitably linked to youth and middle age), since 1980 she has partially withdrawn from film sets, devoting herself mainly to television.
He thus played, among other things, the biographical role “Sophia: her story” Of Mel Stuart and the remake of “The ciociara” (Of Dino Risi1989).
During her very long career, she has been directed by the most important directors, among whom we remember Sydney Lumet, Michael Curtiz, Charlie Chaplin, Dino Risi, Mario Monicelli and Ettore Scola.
Critics agree, however, that it was with Vittorio De Sica (with whom he made eight films) that he formed an ideal partnership, often completed by the unforgettable presence of Marcello Mastroianni. Impossible not to mention: “Yesterday, today, tomorrow” (1963); “Italian Wedding” (1964)e “A day particular” (1977).
In 1999, theAmerican Film Institute ranks Sophia Loren 21st among the greatest American actresses of all time. The same year, she awarded the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film to Roberto Benigni for ” Life is beautiful “: the moment when Sophia shouts the name remains memorable “Robert!” and the actor joins her on stage by walking on the backs of the seats. On March 4, 2011, the Los Angeles Academy celebrated Sophia Loren's career with an evening dedicated entirely to her.
In 2015, for his 80th birthday, he published an autobiography entitled “Yesterday, today, tomorrow. My life”The following year he starred in the advertising campaign for Dolce Rosa Excelsa perfume by Dolce & Gabbana, for which he also created an advertisement set in Sicily, in Bagheria, and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore with music by Ennio Morricone.
In 2020, at the age of 86, he starred in the film “Life before you” from the director Edoardo Pontihis son. For this film wins a David di Donatello for the Best Leading Actress award, setting a record as the oldest person to win it.
