"The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia": How the Fates of the Actors Developed

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The main role in the comedy was played by an Italian adult film actress. At 24, it was on this tape that she ended her career. The fate of the rest of the heroes was no less tragic. We invite you to learn more about this.

The film "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia" was a special experiment of Eldar Ryazanov, since not only Russian actors were involved in it. The Italians' help was needed. They took this step because they owed Mosfilm for a previously implemented joint project.

According to contemporaries, Italians saved on everything. They tried to take on actors who were not very famous and asked for modest fees. One of the artists approved by Ryazanov never appeared in the frame. By that time, he was in prison for tax evasion.

The rest had an interesting fate. The performer of the leading role, Antonia Santilli, was liked by many Soviet viewers. In Italy, despite her young age, she has already managed to star in photo shoots for men's magazines and even in a film for adults.

Especially for this role, she had to learn how to drive a car. In close-up shots, she had to look natural and organic. But the star never learned the Russian language. Instead, the entire text was voiced by Natalia Gurzo.

Soviet viewers were sure that Antonia would achieve a lot in the West, but on this tape the artist ended her career. She met a wealthy businessman, married him and refused to star in films for the sake of quiet family happiness.

Alighiero Noskese, who played Antonio, died of his own free will 6 years after filming. He was not a professional actor. In Italy, the man was known as a parodist and an entrepreneur. Alighiero owned a pharmaceutical company.

Neither a successful business nor attempts to build a career brought him happiness. Alighiero fell into depression and shot himself.

Tano Cimarosa, who was well accustomed to the image of the classic Italian mafioso, was also not a well-known actor in Italy. He starred in extras, in cameo roles and nothing more. Filming in a Russian film did not bring him great popularity in his homeland. He was still unknown to the audience.

In 2008, the man died. According to Western journalists, he died in poverty and loneliness.

A bit more fortunate is Ninetto Davoli, who plays Giuseppe. He was the only one of the entire composition of Italian artists who was able to build a career in his homeland. Ninetto starred in TV series, films and played in the theater.

Ninetto saw the film "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia" only once - a year when the premiere took place.