“I’m not a superstitious person.”
FRANCESCO DI TULLIO
photography by Simone Paccini
styling by La Decadanse Studio
grooming by Maddalena Brando
publicity by MPunto Comunicazione
total look DSQUARED2
There is a quiet confidence to Francesco Di Tullio. The kind that doesn’t compete for attention, but naturally holds it. As a new generation of Italian actors begins to redefine the country’s cinematic voice, he brings an ease that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Still at the beginning of his career, Di Tullio is already proving that presence can be more powerful than performance. Curious, thoughtful, and unafraid of vulnerability, he represents an artist whose story is only just beginning.
total look DSQUARED2
When you think about your childhood in Milan, what parts of that city still live inside the way you work and the way you move through the world?
I think the environment you live and grow up in inevitably shapes the way you are and the way you see the world. In the end, the person you become is the result of your experiences, the environment you were raised in, and the people who have accompanied you throughout your journey.
For that, I have to thank my parents above all. They passed on to me, almost by osmosis, a passion for acting and the ability to express myself through it. Since they are both actors, they took me to the theatre from a very young age, and they made me fall in love with this world in the most natural way.
I also owe a great deal to Milan, my hometown, which gave me the opportunity to grow up with an open-minded, dynamic, and proactive mindset. It’s a city that taught me the value of hard work and the importance of staying curious about the world around me.
pants MSGM, belt DSQUARED2, boots DSQUARED2, choker PATRIZIA PEPE
The most compelling characters often live somewhere between certainty and contradiction. Where does Federico exist in that space?
Federico’s story really struck me and, at the same time, challenged me in portraying this character. What fascinated me most was his inner conflict between who he thinks he is and who he wants to become. In the sixth season, this becomes very clear through the choice he has to make between Lorenza and Samuele.
Did you expect Federico’s story to resonate with audiences in the way it has?
Yes, I expected it, but I couldn’t really imagine what it would feel like for me personally. I can only thank the people who support me and those to whom I may have offered even a small point of reflection through my performance.
total look DSQUARED2
Many actors avoid watching themselves on screen. Are you someone who can watch your own performances, or do you find yourself wanting to look away?
Not always, because I’m very self-critical, and many times I end up thinking about how I could have done a particular scene better. At the same time, though, I enjoy watching myself perform from an outside perspective, and it definitely gives me a lot of ideas for improvement.
Do you have any rituals before stepping onto a set or stage, or is your preparation entirely internal?
I’m not a superstitious person, but I do need balance and concentration, especially when I’m acting. That’s why I always take a few moments to focus and clear my mind before a performance.
If you could step into any cinematic universe, what kind of character would you want to disappear into?
I would love to play a role that is very different from me, but at the same time one in which I can recognize parts of myself. I’m drawn to complex, troubled characters, perhaps in a dystopian film or a psychological thriller. I’m a big admirer of directors such as Stanley Kubrick, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sergio Leone, and Woody Allen.
tank top, shorts, tights, and boots DSQUARED2, jewels are stylist’s own
When you’re not acting, where do you most naturally channel your creativity?
Rather than having hidden talents, I enjoy exploring any form of art that I feel suits me. I love playing the guitar and singing, I often draw or paint, and I also really enjoy cooking from time to time.
You spend your life surrounded by creative people. What is it about artists that continues to inspire or surprise you?
Personally, I’m very drawn to artists because I believe that creating art requires a deeper sensitivity and an inner drive that pushes you to always do more and do better. In fact, every artist I’ve worked with or met has been interesting in some way and has left me with something valuable.
We have to ask… do you have a secret crush?
I don’t have a secret crush.