Exclusive: Claudia Cardinale to Echorouk “Lakhdar Hamina is a loss for Arab and World cinema”

Italian diva and icon of European cinema Claudia Cardinale, said, in this exclusive interview with Echorouk, she is proud of her Arab origins and Tunisian family, and that some of her cinema works have been filmed in the Maghreb region. 

• Claudia Cardinale, who at 72 keeps the same smile that has allowed her to conquer the hearts of millions around the world, opened her heart to Echorouk and asserted she is impressed by the works of Algerian film director Lakhdar Hamina.
• : First of all we thank you Claudia for accepting Echorouk invitation to this interview.
• : Thank you, by the way I salute Algerians through your newspaper.
• Diva Claudia, you are always proud of your Arab origins, and you even talk about your birth place Tunisia. Will you live there?
• : I’m proud of my Arab origins and Tunisia, the country that gave birth to many important people in different fields. I left this amazing country in the fifties, and I used, since I entered the word of lights and fame, to travel and move from Hollywood to London, and from Marrakech to Moscow, however, this didn’t deprive me from visiting Tunisia from time to time and meet friends. What attracted me more to Tunisia are the generous and good people there. Actually I do not think of living in Tunisia because of my work, but I fly like an eagle whenever I miss my lovely country.
• : What are the standards you set in selecting works?
• : I’m keen to pick well-written scenarios and experienced film directors who appreciate the value of art and its noble message. This is the most important thing for me; the rest is mere luxuries. I want to say that beauty has nothing to do with success or failure, rather than capacities and presence in front of a camera and the way to convince the public of the role.
• After your leading experience in acting, don’t you think of directing films?
• : Absolutely not. I don’t think of directing films. My first and last love is acting.
• You received attractive offers by Hollywood cinema makers; however, you refused participating in their works. What is the reason behind your refusal, at a time every actor or actress wishes to receive such an opportunity?
• : I participated in many American movies and it was a great experience for me, but I don’t want to be tied with other hands, because Hollywood producers asked me to sign a monopolised contract, that’s why I refused their offers and I did not regret my decision.
• We knew that someone offers you to participate in a movie about “Albert Camus”, did you accept?
• : Indeed, I was very excited to participate in this work which was planed to be filmed in Algeria, and to work with an Italian director, however; some people try to block the project, and use the excuse of support, considering that the film needs a large budget, that’s why I decided to withdraw from the project and work in other movies, as I recently participated in a movie called the “Line” which was filmed in Tunisia, Casablanca, Istanbul and Turkey.
• You are the UNESCO ambassador of good will since 1995. Could you tell us about your tasks?
• : I’m very happy to be the UNESCO ambassador to defend women’s rights, particularly oppressed women. It’s a great honour for me, as the organization selects talented and famous personalities in order to serve its ideals, and urge the public opinion to give more importance to its activities.
• Do you have an idea about the Algerian cinema?
• : Who doesn’t know Algeria’s cinema and its great filmmaker Lakhdar Hamina, winner of the Golden Palm Award at Cannes 1975, but there is no news about this amazing film director who is the first and last Arab crowned with this award. It’s a great loss for Algeria, Arabs and international cinema; therefore, we should look for the problem, as professionals in Algeria should revive cinema.
• You are a fan of Algerian cinema and you watched it at a certain period. Will you accept to participate in an Algerian work if you receive an offer?
• : Why not if the director is good? I want you to know that I do not set certain conditions to accept a work; I just like good scenarios and directors with artist capacities and creativeness. Cinema was an adventure for me and I did not expect such fame. I’m personally interested in the Mediterranean and Maghreb cinema in particular.