IN CONVERSATION WITH EMANUEL CASERIO
interview by JANA LETONJA
Emanuel Caserio was most recently seen in Netflix’s miniseries ‘Deceitful Love’, and is currently starring in the Italian series ‘Il paradiso delle signore’.
full look TOM FORD
What initially sparked your passion for acting? Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
At first, acting wasn’t in my plans. I wanted to be a volleyball player, but that idea started to fade around the age of 16 when I joined an amateur acting course in my hometown. That’s when everything suddenly became clear. It was something that made me feel alive like never before. It didn’t take me long to realize that this was the job I wanted to do when I grew up.
How did your time at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia shape you as an actor?
The Centro Sperimentale offers a multidisciplinary program that includes everything from singing to fencing, to acrobatics. Over the three years, these different disciplines helped me understand both my strengths and weaknesses, in terms of character and expressiveness. I would recommend an artistic journey like the one at the National Film School to anyone. It’s a way to truly get to know yourself and experiment in every possible direction.
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Winning Best Actor at the Roma Fiction Fest in 2013 and the Kineo Award at Venice Film Festival in 2016 were major milestones. How did those recognitions impact your career?
Awards have never been the goal of my journey, but when they come, they give you the fuel you need to keep going. They tell you that you’re doing well, that even though the path is always uphill, you’re on the right track.
‘I ponti di Sarajevo’ was featured at Cannes in 2014. What was it like to be part of a film showcased at such a prestigious festival?
I remember the extremely long audition process. There were so many of us, and everyone was incredibly talented. On the final day, when they told me I had been cast in the film, I was overjoyed. Leonardo Di Costanzo is a great director and documentary filmmaker. Being part of his project was an immense honor.
‘Deceitful Love’ has been a massive hit on Netflix, with 25 million views and topping charts globally. Did you anticipate such a strong reaction?
Never, not in a million years. In fact, I didn’t even think it would make it into Italy’s Top 10. Yet, it became a global success, staying at number one in Italy and worldwide for weeks. I was surprised and speechless. But given how demanding the project was, I felt truly rewarded for all the hard work.
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shirt and tie LARDINI
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earrings VERSACE
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Can you tell us more about your character, Stefano? What aspects of him did you find most challenging or exciting to portray?
Stefano is a young father burdened by his own weaknesses. He struggles immensely under the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’s a good man wearing the mask of a villain, a fragile soul hiding behind a tough exterior, trapped by societal expectations. He’s not far from who I am, actually. I saw myself in Stefano more than I ever imagined.
With ‘Deceitful Love’ breaking records, do you think there’s potential for a second season or a spin-off?
I don’t think so. ‘Deceitful Love’ was conceived as a miniseries. But you never know. I wouldn’t mind stepping back into the shoes of the young lawyer. There’s still an entire world left to explore.
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You’re also currently starring in ‘Il paradiso delle signore’. Tell us more about this series, your role in it, and what can the audiences expect from the upcoming episodes?
In ‘Il paradiso delle signore’, I play Salvatore Amato, a young Sicilian entrepreneur. The show is a great Italian success, with a fantastic cast of actors, as well as an excellent technical and production team. It’s a small miracle of Italian television. The music and atmosphere of the 1960s take the audience on a journey filled with romantic love stories, the kind we rarely see anymore. As for the season finale, I can say there will be some huge surprises.
You’ve had such a dynamic career. What do you see as your next big challenge or goal in acting?
I’d love to work on an auteur film. I feel the need to strip everything down and get my hands dirty with something completely different from myself.
Outside of acting, what are your other biggest passions?
I love singing, drawing and swimming. Lately, I’ve also started writing. It’s something I find really fun.
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TEAM CREDITS
talent EMANUEL CASERIO
photography COSIMO BUCCOLIERI
styling NADIA BONALUMI
hair BARBARA BERTUZZI
makeup ELEONORA JUGLAIR
styling assistance FRANCESCA MANUNTA
production SOLO STUDIO
publicist MPUNTO COMUNICAZIONE
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
