Lea Massari, Enigmatic Star of Antonioni’s ‘The Adventure,’ Dies at 91
A private funeral and burial marked the passing of Lea Massari, the captivating Italian actress best known for her role in Michelangelo Antonioni‘s seminal film The Adventure. Massari died Monday around noon at her home in Rome’s Parioli district, following a period of declining health after a fall. She was 91 years old.
Born Anna Maria Massetani in Rome’s Monteverde Vecchio district, Massari adopted the stage name Lea in remembrance of a boyfriend, Leo, who tragically died in a car accident just ten days before their wedding. This personal loss seemed to imbue her performances with a haunting quality, contributing to the iconic persona she cultivated with a “roca voice and that feline gaze.” She rose to prominence as one of European cinema’s most sophisticated and unconventional stars during the 1960s and 70s.
Massari’s career began with a discovery by director Mario Monicelli, who recognized her magnetic presence on the set of Forbidden in 1954, where she portrayed a young Sardinian rebel. From the outset, she eschewed the traditional expectations of a “diva,” forging her own path as an actress who resonated with “intellectual” directors. These filmmakers sought performers capable of conveying a profound sense of melancholy and existential questioning.
Did You Know?
Mario Monicelli, who discovered Lea Massari, was a master of Italian comedy, directing classics like Big Deal on Madonna Street.
Her breakthrough role came with Antonioni’s The Adventure (1960),where she played an enigmatic woman at the center of a psychological mystery. The film initially faced a hostile reception at the Cannes Film Festival, with the director reportedly forced to leave the room amidst whistles. However, The Adventure ultimately won the jury prize, achieving international acclaim and solidifying Massari’s place in cinematic history.
Explore Further
The Adventure is considered a landmark film in modernist cinema. Its unconventional narrative and focus on atmosphere challenged traditional storytelling.
Despite achieving critical and public recognition, Massari remained discerning in her choices.She collaborated with a constellation of prominent Italian directors, including Sergio Leone (The Colossus of Rhodes), Dino Risi (A Challenging Life with Alberto Sordi), Enrico Gras (Dreams Die at Dawn), Valerio zurlini (The Soldiers), Nanni Loy, Giuseppe Bertolucci, and the Taviani brothers. She also excelled on stage, originating the role of Rosetta in rugantino and captivating audiences as “Bona de Core and Bona de Tutto” alongside Nino Manfredi. Her television performances, including The Nun of Monza in I Promessi Sposi (1967) and Anna Karenina (1974), where equally unforgettable.
A Versatile Talent
Massari’s stage work in rugantino showcased her versatility,proving her talent extended beyond dramatic film roles.
Massari’s talent extended beyond Italy, with French directors particularly drawn to her unique screen presence. Of the fifty-five directors she worked with, twenty-nine were french, including Claude Sautet (L’Amour), Louis Malle (Breathless), René Clément, and Pierre Granier-Deferre. Her role in Breathless (1971), where she portrayed a bourgeois mother involved in a relationship with her teenage son, was particularly daring, challenging societal norms and earning her a Crystal star and the Louis-Deluca prize. She served as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival in 1975.
Cultural Impact
Her role in the French film breathless sparked considerable debate due to its controversial subject matter, highlighting Massari’s willingness to take risks.
Throughout her career,Massari received two Silver Ribbons for italian cinema: in 1962 for Dreams Die at Dawn and in 1979 for Christ Stopped at Eboli,where she starred alongside Gian Maria Volonté,whom she considered the finest actor she had ever worked with. Known for her reserved nature and refusal to engage in “divism,” Massari remained steadfastly true to herself. She famously declined roles in Federico fellini’s 8 and ultimately retired from acting after Travels with Love (1990) with Omar Sharif.
In 2005, Ferzan Özpetek attempted to entice her out of retirement for Sacred Heart, but she declined, stating that cinema had “disappointed” her. Though she stepped away from the spotlight for over three decades, Lea Massari’s legacy as an authentic, unique interpreter, capable of capturing the complexities of the female soul, endures. She was, by all accounts, aristocratic, revolutionary, and eternal.
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The Enduring Allure of Lea Massari: Beyond the Screen
Lea Massari,whose captivating performances graced both Italian and french cinema,leaves behind a legacy of artistry that continues to resonate. her ability to embody complex characters and her refusal to be pigeonholed cemented her status as a true icon. Massari’s legacy is not only defined by her memorable roles, but also by her self-reliant spirit and commitment to artistic integrity, as she demonstrated by declining roles she didn’t believe in.
Massari’s filmography,as detailed above,is filled with a wide array of roles that allowed her to stretch her acting muscles,from the enigmatic woman in Antonioni’s *L’Avventura* to the daring bourgeois mother in *Breathless*. Her body of work showcased her versatility and willingness to embrace challenging projects [[2]]. She refused to be confined to a single type of role, constantly seeking out characters that would allow her to explore new facets of the human experience alongside a diverse group of directors, including both Mario Monicelli and Federico Fellini.
Decoding Massari’s Artistic Choices
What drove Lea Massari’s remarkable career choices? Her career decisions often reflected her commitment to artistic exploration and integrity. She prioritized projects that challenged societal norms and explored the complexities of human relationships, as demonstrated by her work in Breathless.
- Embracing the Avant-Garde: Massari consistently collaborated with directors who pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.
- Seeking Depth: She gravitated towards roles that demanded emotional depth and intellectual engagement.
- rejecting “Divism”: Massari was known for her humility and integrity,consistently prioritizing her artistic vision over fame or adoration.
Lea Massari’s “roca voice and that feline gaze” made her a compelling presence, and her choices as an actress reflected her personal beliefs. Massari’s legacy of authenticity continues to inspire those exploring the power of acting and the importance of bold choices in the industry.
Behind the Scenes: massari’s Collaborations
Massari’s collaborations were a testament to her talent and the respect she commanded from her peers. she worked
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