The power of a short film. Just a few minutes to talk about a journey, a process of elaborating a trauma that’s actually quite long. Ginevra Francesconi gives voices to Camilla in “A Voce Nuda” – a powerful short film that shouts “you are not alone” and raises awareness about sextortion. In our interview she tells us about the gentleness in creating this story which makes the most of the power of the screen to reach the widest possible audience, especially perhaps in schools to ensure that it is talked about and to make the victims of this abuse feel less alone.

A person and an actress in “constant evolution” who, quoting Amélie, describes herself as an artist, reveals future projects and a “fragile gentleness” that contains an explosive force.

What is your earliest cinema memory?

It was a very organic process, especially when I was a child. I always perceived the movie theater as a sacred and almost intangible place. So yes, my earliest memory related to cinema is about the extraordinary feeling I had as a child. Of course, there are also the first memories related to being on set or the first time I saw one of my films. There are many “first memories” that mark the most important moments of this incredible journey.

“There are many ‘first memories’ that mark the most important moments of this incredible journey.” 

How did you experience your participation in the 80th Venice Film Festival with the special screening of “A voce nuda”?

I feel grateful and honored to have participated in the Venice Film Festival. I won’t deny that I was extremely nervous, but I managed it better than I thought. It was thrilling during the screening of the short film to feel the emotion and warmth of the people in the audience. Experiences like these stay in your heart forever.

“A voce nuda” is a short film that shouts “you are not alone.” What was the biggest challenge in making this short film? Have you had the opportunity to meet and talk with victims of sextortion?

The biggest challenge was trying to tell this reality as delicately as possible, with the goal of reaching people’s souls and, perhaps, helping someone. I didn’t have the opportunity to meet victims of sextortion before the shoot, due to the very tight schedule of making a short film. But I hope “A voce nuda” will be screened in schools to open up a conversation. It’s important not to make victims, of any type of abuse, feel alone, and it’s important to raise awareness among young people about this issue.

“I hope ‘A voce nuda’ will be screened in schools to open up a conversation.”

How did you build Camilla and her journey that seems to last a long time in just a few minutes?

I completely trusted the team that worked on the project. Through Camilla, I tried to give voice to the silent numbers that are increasing all the time. You’re right: it’s a journey that seems to last a long time in just a few minutes. That’s exactly what we wanted, to make people understand that the process of realizing and processing trauma is very long and challenging.

What has been the most surprising reaction from someone who has seen the short film?

I’ve received many messages on social media from people who have seen the short film and opened up to me, telling me about the difficult times they are going through.

“A voce nuda” is another push for the conversation about and action against sextortion. What else would you like to start a conversation about that the power of the screen could help with?

I believe that social media is a very effective means of communication. However, this is true only if there is maximum attention from those who use it. One topic that I see discussed very little is gaslighting. It’s a subtle form of psychological manipulation, committed with awareness.

“It’s a subtle form of psychological manipulation, committed with awareness.”

When you create a character, are you more emotional or rational?

You should always strike the right balance between technique and instinct. Sometimes, however, I notice that the latter, guided by emotions, takes over during character preparation.

What typically makes you say “yes” to a project?

It’s a process of exchange. I fall in love with projects and characters based on what I can learn from them and what I can give back to them

What can you reveal about your upcoming projects “Un’estate fa” and “Un oggi alla volta”? What was the first question you asked after reading each script?

They are two projects coming out in the next few months, and they are extremely different. “Un’estate fa” immediately intrigued me with its approach to character development, alternating between the nineties and today. “Un oggi alla volta” gave me the opportunity to explore a physical aspect I had never tackled before. So, I focused on how the character’s psyche was influenced by this change.

When you act, the work you do on yourself and the character can be significant, and you may come into contact with parts of yourself you didn’t think you had. What is the last thing you discovered about yourself through acting?

Fortunately, I feel like I’m in constant evolution. I don’t know if it’s thanks to acting, but over time, I’ve discovered that I’m a very gentle person. It’s a fragile gentleness that I need to take care of.

“It’s a fragile gentleness that I need to take care of”

Do you have any daily rituals or habits to “connect” with yourself, or is it something that comes naturally to you?

It comes naturally to me to stay connected with myself and what’s happening around me. I don’t have specific habits to follow. “Cultivate a particular taste for small pleasures,” that’s perhaps how I summarize what it means to me to be focused and connected with what’s happening.

What typically makes you mad?

Lack of dialogue.

What does it mean for you to feel comfortable with yourself?

Having the awareness of having no regrets.

What scares you the most?

What scares me the most, perhaps among many things, would be losing my carefree nature.

What has been your biggest act of rebellion so far?

I consider myself a fairly peaceful person. I don’t think there’s a rebellious act on my part worth telling. Maybe.

The last thing that made you smile?

Fortunately, many things. The last thing was ice cream, strictly stracciatella, for a snack.

What is your happy place?

My family.

Photos by Johnny Carrano. 

Styling by Samanta Pardini.

Thanks to Amendola Comunicazione.

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