“I tell my friends everything. With them, I’m an open book.”
ALBERTO ROSSI
photographed by Nicolas Wagner
styled by Gianluca Coccocia
grooming by Maddalena Brando
publicist Mpunto Comunicazione
above: total look MANUEL RITZ
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Futtatinni, in Sicilian it means “don’t care / don’t worry about it.”
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Up to now, I feel that my greatest professional success, despite many small confirmations and satisfactions, has definitely been The Leopard. The role of Paolo left an indelible mark on me. That project made me realize just how much I love this job, and now I’m focused on the future, trying to achieve new successes. If we’re talking on a personal level, it’s definitely about overcoming some challenges I had set for myself.
total look MANUEL RITZ
Are you superstitious?
Not really, but you know, better to avoid walking under ladders.
What is your favorite Alain Delon movie?
There are so many I still want to see that it’s hard to give a definite answer. The one that has always stayed with me is L’eclisse by Antonioni, with Monica Vitti.
How did you discover Luchino Visconti’s films?
It’s a funny story: when I was 11 years old, a man I didn’t know stopped me in the street and told me to watch Death in Venice, saying that the protagonist looked a lot like me. That’s how I discovered Visconti.
jacket SANDRO PARIS
pants BOGLIOLI, shoes HOGAN
Any directors you would like to work with?
Oh yes, so many! I would especially love to work with directors who push you to bring out and explore the emotions of the characters. It’s hard to give names because, for one reason or another, I would love to work with everyone. It would be an honor to collaborate with Luca Guadagnino, Ryan Murphy, Sofia Coppola, Tornatore, or Xavier Dolan.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Maybe it sounds obvious, but my family. They taught me the power of getting back up after tough falls. I’ve seen them rebuild what seemed irreparable, so they are definitely my role models.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty and sincerity. I admit I don’t even mind when we fight, when everything is too calm, something isn’t working. It’s in those moments that you really get to know the relationship between people. I like it when my friends help me work on my flaws.
Can you tell us how your career started with theater?
I fell in love with it after watching some rehearsals, and from that moment, I felt part of something. I knew I wanted to be on that stage too.
What was the most valuable experience you had while filming The Leopard?
The moment when we built bonds with each other. We helped one another through the scenes, and the solidarity that developed really moved me. To this day, I love all my colleagues, but some of them have a special place in my heart.
pants, jacket, shirt GOLDEN GOOSE, shoes HOGAN
How did you prepare to play the character of Paolo Cobrera di Salina?
I took a deep dive within myself, trying to become friends with a boy who had a few centuries more than me, but a very similar character. I decided to put a bit of Alberto and a bit of Paolo into him.
What is your current dominant emotion today?
It’s complex. Often it’s a desire, the desire to fulfill myself and reach my goals. Sometimes it’s anger or confusion, like any guy my age. But every day I feel happy and proud of who I am.
total look MANUEL RITZ
Do you like the process of being photographed?
It’s not what I love most in the world, but I’ve learned to do it without overthinking. I do like it, though, when photography tells an emotion through its art.
What are you reading this summer?
Fathers and Sons by Turgenev and Everything I Don’t Remember by Jonas Hassen Khemiri.
Do you have a secret crush?
Quite a few, but not too secret, because I tell my friends everything. With them, I’m an open book.