Isabella Rossellini (74) kicked off the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival with an emotional speech. Before the opening film "Les Yeux Verts" by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh, the festival honored Rossellini on the historic Piazza Grande with the "Excellence Award". The award recognizes exceptional actors and actresses of the international film scene.
"This award fills me with pride", Isabella Rossellini told "The Hollywood Reporter" to the "enthusiastic audience" on the grand square. "The Locarno Festival is one of the most prestigious in the world", she explained about the event, which runs until August 15 in the Swiss city.
"On the Same Level as My Father and My Brother"
She then recalled, according to the report, how her father Roberto Rossellini (1906-1977) won the "Grand Prize" for best film at the third edition of the Locarno Festival in 1948 for his film "Deutschland im Jahre Null", as well as the prize for best screenplay together with his co-authors. "A few years ago, my brother Renzo was also honored, who was a great producer of directors like Federico Fellini and Ettore Scola", she continued. He received the "Locarno Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2023.
Isabella Rossellini concluded her speech visibly moved with the words: "Standing on the same level as my father and my brother fills me with great joy."
Career Spans Decades
The Italian-American actress, model icon and filmmaker is the daughter of Swedish acting legend Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) and Italian director Roberto Rossellini. Her career spans decades, continents and genres: She first made a name for herself as a model before conquering the silver screen.
Her role as Dorothy Vallens in David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" (1986) remains unforgettable to this day. Other well-known Rossellini films include "Wild at Heart", "Two Lovers" and "Konklave". She even received an Oscar nomination for her role as Sister Agnes in the papal drama from 2024.
