A rare exhibition recalled four world-renowned Italian actresses at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center from July 19 to August 3. Through original posters and other promotional materials of classic Italian movies from the 1950s and 1960s:, the exhibition highlighted Italy’s legendary actresses: Sophia Loren, Silvana Mangano, Claudia Cardinale, and Gina Lollobrigida. The exhibition curators, Luciano Calosso and Enrica Barbano from the Colosseum Cultural Association, shared their thoughts about the touring show, titled “4 Divas.”

What is the purpose of this exhibition?

These four Italian divas were hugely popular, both at home and abroad, in their time, and exerted enormous influence in many aspects. They constantly drew people’s interest and became true cultural icons of their days. It’s a pity that one of them, Silvana Mangano, has already passed away. When you consider their charm and beauty, they still seem to resonate today. So, we wanted to introduce these great actresses to today’s cinema fans, particularly through posters of the movies starring them.

Why are movie posters such an important element of this exhibition?

It will be significant for viewers to meet the divas through cinema posters. You know, at that time, they didn’t have so diverse means to publicize movies as today. Therefore, posters had various functions besides promoting movies. In a word, they were not mere publicity devices but works of art that represented the times. The exhibition largely presents Italian film posters, but those made in France and Germany are displayed together. Even though promoting the same movie, the posters differ from one country to another in terms of the messages delivered, method of , sense of color, and even the title of the movie. As such, the viewers will find it interesting to compare the differences. For example, two posters of “La Ciociara” (Two Women), one made in Italy and the other in Germany, are arranged to face each other.

Have you organized any other exhibitions held in Korea or in the Asian region?

Thank you for asking this question. We’d like to take this opportunity to mention our special ties with Korea and the reviews that our exhibitions have received from around the world ( laugh). This is our seventh exhibition in Korea. We have put on six exhibitions here, mostly at the invitation of Korean enterprises, on such themes as shoes or the history of neckties. The shows got quite a favorable response. Also, to promote Italian culture around the world, we have organized some 60 or so exhibitions in various countries. They have been held in so many countries that it’s easier to name those countries we haven’t visited. As for this “4 Divas” exhibition, it is opening in Korea and will tour Romania, Hong Kong, and China. So, we are eager to see how the viewers here respond to it.

What are the focal points of the exhibition?

We focused on four major points in planning this exhibition. As said before, the four divas have exerted great influence around the world, not just as actresses but as cultural icons of their times. So, to present their appeal in the more effective way, we focused most of all on the movie posters, and then on their fashion and photographs. We also attempted to present their images through tapestry works interpreting their characteristics from the perspectives of our days. We received much assistance from various organizations, including Archivio Cicconi, an archive of historical photographs run by the Allori Foundation.

How would you explain the individual characteristics of each of the four divas?

First of all, as Italians, we are proud to introduce our world-class divas. As for Sophia Loren, we don’t need to explain that she’s an actress of worldwide fame. She’s a very passionate person both on the screen and in her real life. Most Italians will say that when they think of Sophia Loren, the first word that comes to mind is “passion.” And Claudia Cardinale is called the “Sweetheart of the Mediterranean,” while Silvana Mangano is known for her mysterious beauty. Gina Lollobrigida is adored for her vibrant image of a lovely woman. These are their images on the screen, although they may be different in their real lives.

As the exhibition’s curators, what kind of response do you expect to get from Korean viewers?

We’re anxious to see their reactions. Since Korea is the first venue for this exhibition, the response that we get here will have influence the shows to be held in other countries. What we want to say is that this is indeed a rare event. All of the film posters shown here are original works from the personal possession of the cinema poster collector Antonio Bettanini. Also, the four dresses on display are the costumes actually worn by the actresses in their movies, which have been leased from the Fondazione Annamode. The Fondazione Allori - Archivio Cicconi has provided valuable photos that have not been previously disclosed to the public. The exhibition would have been impossible if not for these organizations’ genuine love of the arts.

Have you had opportunities to get familiar with Korean culture, especially Korean movies? ?

We’re personally very interested in Korean culture, and in Italy, interest in Korean films has been growing rapidly in the past several years. Not only its movies are remarkable, but Korean culture in general has diverse resources and the capability to gain popularity overseas in the years ahead. We have watched a number of Korean films, but it’s a pity that we don’t remember their titles. Still, we remember “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War.” We were moved by the way the movie portrays humanity in a brutal war.

Any more comments you want to make before wrapping up our interview?

This is our seventh time to be in Korea, and we have enjoyed every visit here. We hope to maintain our cooperative relations with the Korea Foundation and also hope the exhibition will provide a wonderful experience for movie fans here.

Choi Kyung-sook Freelance Writer