Alessandro Siani: "It is important to dream, always"

by Laura Frigerio

There are those who compare him to the great Massimo Troisi and in fact we find in him the same mix of irony and sweetness, with a touch of melancholy that turns into poetry. We are talking, as you may have understood, of Alessandro Siani. The Neapolitan comedian, that just this year he made his directorial debut with "Il principe abusivo" (blockbuster film), is experiencing a golden moment of his career: thanks to a now recognized talent and a spontaneity that makes him immediately enter harmony with people.
Alessandro Siani did not stop even this summer and was one of the most anticipated guests of the 43rd edition of the Giffoni Film Festival, the well-known festival for children, where he received a "very warm welcome."
We met him to have a chat with him ...

The theme of this edition of the Giffoni Film Festival was “Forever Young”. What is your secret to always staying young?
Once tales were told by saying that "once upon a time" that allowed you to detach yourself from reality: this, in my opinion, could be the formula to remain "Forever Young". And then there is the dream: it is beautiful and important to dream, especially for the youngest.

You directed and interpreted a modern fairy tale. We are naturally talking about “Il principe abusivo” ...
I started writing this film after I finished filming welcome to the South. There was already a sequel in the air, but I wanted to focus on a new story and I wanted something that was current, simple and light. I entered the world of cinema on tiptoe as a director, then three million Italians went to see the film and I can only be happy!

But success has not gone to your head ...
As a famous producer said "fly low to dodge stones!". Then, let's face it, with today's crisis there is no guaranteed success, also because many viewers are lost with downloads.

In your opinion, what is the formula for making a good comedy?
Unfortunately, the old Italian comedy no longer exists, because there are no longer the same screenwriters and the same audience. The important thing, in my opinion, is never to be vulgar because the joke must come from the head.

What do you think is vulgarity?
Vulgarity exists when you have nothing to tell. For example, I have always been inspired by Totò for the times, by Eduardo De Filippo for writing and by Massimo Troisi because he was the comedian of feelings. They weren't vulgar.

It is no coincidence that they often approach you in Troisi ...
When I started Troisi, Pino Daniele, his producer Berardi and the screenwriter Anna Pavignano pampered me. I can only thank them, because they taught me what purity, simplicity and craft are.

What makes you laugh?
Usually it is the things of everyday life that make me smile, the spontaneity of the people and the children. I would like, sooner or later, to make a film with children.

Will it be your next project?
Not the immediate one. Now I have a film in the works that should be released for Christmas 2014. It will be a very genuine story, set in the provinces.