'I had 10 dedicated bodyguards': Gina Lollobrigida and 10 iconic Venice Film Festival moments
Film festivals have always been occasions of great emotion and visibility for me, with paparazzi following me everywhere.
I attended the 23rd edition of the Venice film festival in 1962 with my husband Milko Skofic. From the very moment we arrived at the Lido, it was clear to me that this edition was particularly memorable.
Before we could even dock, we narrowly missed being hit by another boat, loaded with photographers trying to capture my arrival at the Festival. I was standing up and almost fell into the water when the cameras started flashing all around me.
Some hours later in the hotel, I heard a voice out of the balcony singing with a guitar. I looked out of the window and saw that it was Adriano Celentano singing the Italian version of the song Stand By Me.
He was a real joker, and I was so excited but also a bit embarrassed because my husband was with me. I applauded and immediately returned to the room: it was the first time in my life that I had been serenaded.
That night, for the official inauguration, I wore a satin dress designed by myself (it was one of my hobbies) and a magnificent emerald necklace that Bvlgari loaned to me. I was working on the movie Imperial Venus at the time, so I designed the dress to match the empire theme and stimulate some buzz.
The necklace was worth a fortune. I had 10 dedicated body guards to escort me and separate me from the crowd. It was at that moment that I thought, “who is the real diva? Me or the jewel?” Gina Lollobrigida
10 iconic moments from the Venice Film Festival
Gene Tierney, c.1946
This legendary image was likely taken of actor Gene Tierney in 1946 at the first edition of the Venice Film Festival after its hiatus during the Second World War (1943-45). She cuts a glamorous form, sitting in a folding chair, smoking a cigarette in an intricate white lace top by the Lido. This was one year after her nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).
Ginger Rogers and Jacques Bergerac, 1952
American actress Ginger Rogers reapplies makeup at the end of a dinner, sitting next to her husband, the French actor Jacques Bergerac at the 13th Venice Film Festival. That year, Rogers starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in two comedies (Monkey Business with Cary Grant and We're Not Married!) as well as Dreamboat, with Clifton Webb.
Kirk Douglas and Mehtab, 1953
Naval officer turned actor Kirk Douglas is pictured alongisde Indian actress Mehtab rest at the Lido beach during the Venice Film Festival in 1953. Born in Amsterdam, Douglas' films include Champion (1949), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), Lust for Life (1956), and Spartacus (1960). In 1953 he starred in The Juggler.
Diana Dors, 1955
English actress Diana Dors waves to the crowds, wearing a mink bikini on a gondola: an outré display that fits right in with her blonde bombshell persona.
Romy and Magda Schneider, 1957
Austrian movie actress Romy Schneider and her mother, stage and film actress Magda Schneider, attend a showing of the film Eye for an Eye at the Mostra del Cinema in Venice during the Venice International Film Festival in 1957.
Sophia Loren, 1958
Having descended from a canal boat, Loren walks towards a crowd of photographers. This was a stellar year for the actress, who won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress after her performance in the film The Black Orchid, which she starred in alongside Anthony Quinn.
Jane Fonda, 1966
The actress arrives at the festival by motorboat, with her husband, the film director Roger Vadim and her brother, Peter. In 1966 she starred in The Chase, with Marlon Brando, Any Wednesday, alongside Jason Robards and Dean Jones, and The Game Is Over, directed by Vadim. The latter was in competition and, while it didn't win the grand prize, many iconic images of the former couple were taken at the 27th Venice Film Festival.
Elizabeth Taylor, 1967
Richard Burton and Claudia Cardinale toast with Elizabeth Taylor during a party at Vendramin Calergi Palace, in celebration of the 28th Venice Film Festival. Burton and Taylor starred in numerous films together during the sixties, most famous among them was Cleopatra (1963). It was on the set of that film that the couple met and started their tumultuous affair that was so renowned it was even condemned by the Vatican.
Sean Connery, 1967
The original 007 speeds in at the helm of a motorboat with friends just months after the release of the fifth James Bond film, You Only Live Twice.
Diana Ross, 1972
Diana Ross holds the 'Golden Lion' statue at the Venice Film Festival, during the award ceremony for the movie Lady Sings the Blues.
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