The Heroine’s Journey of Camilla Cuparo

What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I love the possibility of creating and welcoming new “lives” thus analysing myself through what they do and what they say. It’s a different and creative way to empathize, to remain compassionate, to avoid being judgmental, and why not, thanking God for not being different than what I am, flaws included. I also love the possibility of meeting new people.

What is my idea of happiness?

Happiness is for me a mental state of peace (tranquillity). Knowing that the people I love, are safe and well, knowing that I didn’t do anyone wrong. Being able to forget a deceit. Doing everything possible to make more and more people happy.

What is my greatest fear?

Dying without completing my artistic and life research. Which are actually one and the same. I have changed many times in all these years due to mistakes, accidents, wrong choices, forced choices, my illness…and every time I had to reinvent myself, I had to improve myself and, during this journey, Art saved my life constantly.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Well, there are many things that I dislike about myself. Probably the worst thing is that I underestimate myself, I give too much importance to what other people think. And I am way too patient. Endless patience, and this often is an issue.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

In my working environment it’s quite easy to admire this one or that one, till they become an idol. I always try to maintain a certain clarity when it comes to “admiring” an artist. I try to keep their artistic side separated from their personal life. Often, being an artist becomes a perfect alibi towards the impunity. I don’t think this is right. I admire people who work with intellectual honesty, people who are simple, those whom you can have a tangible relationship and those people that don’t smile at you just because they want something in return. I admire those that can maintain some dignity and those who make Art to change themselves or to change what is wrong with this world and not only for profit.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I don’t consider myself as eccentric. In this context I might be a bit boring. But then, I think about my life as a whole, it has been very extravagant.

On what occasion would I lie?

Only to save the people I love.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

I prefer to have nothing to do with people who behave like a “primadonna”. And I really don’t like those people who say they would meet you, read about your work, or listen to your pieces and then they don’t even reply to an email. Like many producers, or theatre directors or agents. I find that really rude.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

When I used to manage a theatre in Rome. They were difficult years, but I was able to create great human relationships and I used to write a lot for the theatre. It was a magical place.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I wish I was less distrustful

What is my greatest achievement in work?

For sure, being recognised as one of the most important playwrights of the contemporary Italian scene when I received the “Premio Landieri” as director of “Uccidete le Madri” (“Kill the Mothers”) in 2014.

Where would I most like to live?

When I feel at peace with myself, I could live anywhere

What is my most treasured possession?

My family.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Speaking with my eyes

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

The long beaches along the coast.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

For sure at my sisters’ and at my mother’s home

What books influenced my life and how?

I read a lot, even when I was a child. Every book you read changes you, even if you don’t realise it. I can say that “LA CASA DEL SILENZIO” by Pamuk, “LEGGERE LOLITA A TEHERAN” by Nafisi, “IL FANTASMA DELL’OPERA” by Leroux, are books that I have read many times, but “IL DIO DELLE PICCOLE COSE” by Roy is extraordinary, it changes your way of approaching reading and to better understand writing. A masterpiece.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

From B. Streisand to Chopin, from Beethoven sonatas to Dave Matthew’s band, from Bonamassa to Tori Amos, from Ravel to E. Fitzgerald. The list can be endless.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I didn’t have a hero when I was a child but I loved Spiderman and Capitan Harlock.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

For sure the women of Syria, and all those men and women who are suffering because of a unwanted war.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Without any doubt, THE ELEPHANT MAN by Lynch. An immortal masterpiece.

What role play stories in my life and work?

If by stories it’s meant true stories, then a lot. Although those that would be really interesting to tell are very few. I can get inspired and then I modify and adapt according to my creativity and fantasy.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

Fate decided in which country, in which year and in which family I was meant to be born. Of having skills and which ones. Your destiny is the result of intuition and foresight, we build our destiny day by day, saying yes, many times, but especially by being brave enough to also say no. It’s important to fully understand the difference between fate and destiny. Each time we decide to do or not to do something, we are “destined to…”, we are deciding.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?

In Italy which screenwriter wouldn’t like work with Lucky Red, or Netflix, or Fandango, or Medusa, or with Rai Cinema? Or as a playwright who wouldn’t like work with great theatres like L’Argentina, the Eliseo, the Stabile in Naples or the Biondo in Palermo? Or which author wouldn’t like to collaborate with Mina, Franco Battiato, Carmen Consoli, Diodato, Ron, Antonella Ruggiero, Manuel Agnelli, Tosca, Niccolò Fabi or Giorgia? Or which painter wouldn’t love to be called by the greatest gallery owners from Milan to New York…

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would i love to meet in 2021?

In Italy, for sure, I would like to entrust one of my pieces to Emma Dante, who I consider one of the biggest artists in Italy at the moment. As a screenwriter, I would like to work with Crialese, Tornatore, Garrone, Saverio Costanzo, Sollima, Mainetti, Guadagnino, and Patierno and as a playwright and director, I would like to direct Anna Bonaiuto, Laura Morante, Luisa Ranieri, Alessandra Mastronardi, Valeria Golino, Claudia Gerini, Maya Sansa and Ludovica Nasti, .

What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on?

I definitely can’t wait to go back to work on my show THE CRADLE, which was meant to debut before the pandemic. And then I have also planned my own screenplay, METROPOLIS, which will be directed by Massimo Coglitore.

Where can you see me or my work in 2021?

Covid has literally brought the Italian art sector to its knees and I hope we can all start again as soon as possible.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Well if you were born with the art inside of you, then you’re doomed! Especially if you live in Italy and if you are a woman and have more than one talent.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Surely my sister Teresa Cuparo. And then Rita Grasso, Caterina Puzello, Lucilla Mininno, Marzia Ercolani, Benedetta Capanna, Brunella Caronti, Roberta Giallo and Francesca Barittoni.

How can you contact me?

Info.camillacuparocineteatro@gmail.com