How did "Malena" begin?
The writer proposed the idea to me 11 years ago. The story was interesting but at the time I was undecided whether to make the movie. After five or six years, I was shooting a commercial with Monica Bellucci. I had never met her before. She reminded me of the story. Despite what we usually think about models, I had this desire to make a movie with her. She wanted to learn, to do serious work. At the end of the shoot, I told her of the story and she was very happy. I said I didn't know whether I wanted to make it but I said I'd call her if I did. Five years after, I called her, she remembered the story, and we made it.
You use the figure of the child again, as with "Cinema Paradiso". Why?
It's important because it is a challenge to come back to the possibility of seeing something with the innocence of a boy. I think the world, from the point of view of a boy, is so different that it would be better if it were like this.
The film was produced by Miramax head Harvey Weinstein. How did that come about?
I know Harvey very well, though this is the first movie I have done with him as producer. He has already distributed three of my movies. But whether he is the producer or distributor, it's the same because when he decides to love a movie it belongs to him! It's a good relationship. There is a great respect for each another.
