By Giulia Piceni. Cover image: Margie Mitchem.
Caterina Paci embodies young Gianna Nannini and she’s herself a young actress to know. Biopic films have become increasingly popular in recent years. In addition to being the title of Gianna Nannini’s famous song, Sei nell’anima has also become a film about the life of the Tuscan singer-songwriter (proudly from Siena), available on Netflix since May 2. It tells the story of Nannini’s life, which was marked by international success, collaborations with Giorgio Moroder’s electronic music, and her work with filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni, for whom she wrote two tracks for his movie Identificazione di una donna, and artistic influences ranging from Carla Accardi to Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Gianna Nannini film on Netflix draws inspiration from the artist’s autobiography, published in 2016, titled Cazzi Miei.
Alongside director Cinzia TH Torrini, the singer co-wrote the screenplay, ensuring it stayed true to her persona and experiences. The narrative follows Nannini’s life for thirty crucial years, filled with constant experimentation and a search for authentic freedom, all set to the beat of rock music.
Playing the role of the young Nannini is Caterina Paci, a 16-year-old debut actress who is originally from Ascoli but now living in Florence. She has trained at ENTRARTE Training, a school of Theater and Cinema in Oltrarno since 2010, which now also serves as an agency for young talents. With her ice-blue eyes reminiscent of Gianna Nannini’s own, Paci lends her talent to narrate her cinematic debut through this interview.
Why Caterina Paci, young Gianna Nannini, is a rising actress to be kept on the radar
Could you share something about your journey and explain how the audition process unfolded?
A self-tape audition was the first step of the audition process. After that, I was called to Rome for an in-person audition with director Cinzia TH Torrini. However, a few days later, they told me they wouldn’t choose me because I looked too mature for the age they were looking for.
To cope with the disappointment, I dyed my hair pink, and it turned out to be my lucky charm! The following day, my agent Chiara Solari, informed me that I had been selected for the role. At the first project meeting, the director complimented my new look but kindly asked me to return to my original colour. Then, they actually straightened and dyed my hair darker to make me look more like Nannini at my age.
How did you prepare for the role of Gianna Nannini?
To prepare for my role, it wasn’t so much about memorising lines; that wasn’t the longest or most complicated part. Instead, I had to work on my physical and emotional preparation. Gianna Nannini is a great tennis player, but I had never played tennis before – in fact, I had never even held a racket! When my acting teachers say that an actor should be able to do everything, they’re absolutely right! During the summer, I underwent weeks of intensive tennis training, practising every day.
Plus, I had to use an old-fashioned racket from the 70s, which was heavier and smaller than modern ones and required a completely different throwing technique. Additionally, I made small aesthetic changes to my appearance, such as cutting, dying and straightening my hair to resemble Gianna’s look at my age. Before we started filming, I did some research on Gianna Nannini’s life, especially at my age, by reading her biography and her early interviews.
How do you balance your acting activity with school?
I am a student at Michelangelo Classical High School in Florence, where I focus on humanities and literature. My days are quite busy with school and homework, and I also do track and field, so I often have afternoon training sessions. Despite this, I am passionate about pursuing my dream of acting and manage to fit in acting training on the weekends.
The cinema lessons on weekends are designed to allow us, actors who are still students, to follow a specific path, which includes vertical lessons, even for many consecutive hours, which wouldn’t be possible during the week. They provide professional training aimed at preparing us, student actors, for auditions and eventual production work. Unlike other schools, the focus is not on producing a final performance or short film; we do engage in these activities, but only as a result of our work rather than the primary objective of the program.
Who is the Intimacy Coordinator who supported you on set?
Her name is Elly Schirinzi; she’s a professional who always made me feel comfortable while filming with her kindness and experience. I’m very grateful for that.
Can you share a fun fact from the set?
The rain machine was impressive! It was used on set to simulate a tennis game scene. They managed to make it rain using this incredible machine on a hot, clear July day!
