A legendary Italian novel has returned to the display screen: The Leopard. In a six-episode Netflix miniseries, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s 1958 literary masterpiece – beforehand dropped at life in Luchino Visconti’s 1963 movie – has been reimagined towards the backdrop of Risorgimento-era Sicily, the place revolutionary aspirations collide with baroque decadence. Underneath the course of Tom Shankland and that includes a forged of dynamic abilities, the variation brings a recent perspective to a timeless story.
Among the many key figures is Deva Cassel, daughter of cinematic icons Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel. Along with her delicate Mediterranean magnificence, she steps into the function of Angelica – a personality famously performed by Claudia Cardinale in Visconti’s movie. Taking up the function of younger Tancredi, as soon as portrayed by Alain Delon, is Saul Nanni, who has additionally turn into Cassel’s off-screen boyfriend. In the meantime, Kim Rossi Stuart performs Don Fabrizio.
For this interview, GRAZIA met Cassel within the opulent halls of the Italian Embassy in Paris.
GRAZIA: Welcome to your first GRAZIA cowl.
DEVA CASSEL: It’s an honour! GRAZIA has all the time felt acquainted to me. It’s a kind of symbols, a kind of objects which have been with me since childhood, and it represents the start of my love for vogue. It’s a ardour I’ve had since I used to be little – it began after I noticed my mom or father dressing up for occasions. I liked mixing completely different types and would usually rummage by my father’s closet to borrow garments or equipment.
GRAZIA: How did this Leopard journey start?
CASSEL: Director Tom Shankland contacted me whereas I used to be in New York. He despatched me the script – it was extremely lengthy! I had solely labored on one movie function earlier than (The Lovely Summer time by Laura Luchetti), and I used to be a bit intimidated by such a considerable and emotionally advanced script. My character, Angelica, has a multi-layered character. I studied so much, did auditions by way of Zoom, and finally went to London to satisfy Shankland and his staff.
GRAZIA: What did you’re feeling while you bought the half?
CASSEL: An immense emotion, nice pleasure, but additionally a little bit of concern. Instantly, it was all actual. Taking up the function of Angelica was delicate; the script was fantastically written – a possibility I couldn’t go up, but additionally a problem I needed to show myself worthy of.
GRAZIA: Was cinema an early love, like vogue?
CASSEL: Completely not. In contrast to vogue, I truly hated cinema after I was youthful. It was my mother and father’ job, and everybody stored asking if I needed to do the identical factor, so I rejected the thought out of precept. However as soon as I began modelling, I felt an increasing number of snug in entrance of the digital camera. Slowly, I started contemplating performing roles. Cinema has a dynamic power – voices, motion, and the possibility to completely immerse your self in a narrative and create a posh character. That out of the blue fascinated me. Then the chance for The Lovely Summer time got here alongside. I learn the script, and it felt like poetry – the character match me completely. That’s after I determined to offer it a attempt.
GRAZIA: You’re entering into a job as soon as performed by Claudia Cardinale. What do you’re keen on about Angelica?
CASSEL: The concept of following in Cardinale’s footsteps intimidated me so much. However I’ve realized to place issues into perspective – I do the identical in my modelling profession. All through my life, I’ve usually been in comparison with my mom, and I do know it’s one thing I’ll hear endlessly. I’ve gotten used to comparisons; there’ll all the time be somebody saying, ‘It was higher earlier than,’ or ‘You look similar to her,’ or the other. So, I’ve realized to detach from it. Taking up a job as soon as performed by an actress of Cardinale’s calibre will inevitably result in extra comparisons, however I attempt to embrace it in one of the best ways potential. Holding that script in my palms was an thrilling problem. I felt we might create one thing new – deliver a recent, trendy take to the scene. The Leopard is ready within the time of Italy’s unification battles, however its themes – household tensions, social divides, love – are timeless. Angelica is a sensual girl, conscious of each her magnificence and the impact she has on others, in addition to her female vulnerability. She is aware of how you can navigate the unhealthy intentions of the lads round her gracefully.
GRAZIA: What have been your most memorable moments on set?
CASSEL: There have been so many individuals – an unbelievable forged – and we traveled to among the most stunning locations in Sicily and Rome. For me, it was additionally a possibility to spend time in Italy, which I hadn’t accomplished in a couple of years. Robust friendships shaped throughout filming, and most significantly, it was on this set that I met my boyfriend, Saul Nanni. Every thing occurred naturally – {our relationships} on set developed in a really spontaneous approach. I used to be fortunate to be surrounded by individuals with intensive expertise in cinema; they made me really feel snug and protected.
GRAZIA: You’ve lived between Italy and France. What have these two cultures given you?
CASSEL: I wish to say I’m an Italian with a French angle. I believe that phrase completely describes me. I’ve had the chance to reside in several nations, however France and Italy are the 2 I do know finest – those the place I really feel at house. I lived in France longer, studied there, constructed my friendships {and professional} relationships, however Italy represents heat, meals, and household. Typically, I like bringing a little bit of Italian conviviality to France, and vice versa, I introduce a contact of French tradition in Italy. I really like the hybrid impact of merging the 2 cultures. Nevertheless it’s not possible for me to decide on between them – they’re so completely different and but complementary.
GRAZIA: What are their drawbacks?
CASSEL: I might say I’m allergic to the chaotic visitors in Rome or to the marginally snobbish angle of Parisians. However even these traits have their flip aspect – Rome’s chaos is vibrant, and Parisians are environment friendly and targeted. Past my Franco-Italian id, I’ve been fortunate to journey so much since childhood, which has helped me adapt simply and really feel at house wherever. Not too long ago, I spent 4 months in Morocco for a movie undertaking, and I felt utterly at house there. I really like sleeping elsewhere, attempting completely different cuisines, and interacting with individuals from solely completely different cultures. I converse 5 languages, and that’s one of many best presents my mother and father have given me. As a baby, I didn’t perceive why it was essential. I used to assume, ‘Why be taught so many languages if I can solely converse separately?’ [laughs]. However as soon as I began working, I realised how fortunate I used to be and the way a lot it made issues simpler for me.
GRAZIA: Past the present of journey and cultural publicity, what are a very powerful values your mother and father, Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, have instilled in you?
CASSEL: Their life classes stick with me day by day. A few of their phrases have turn into private mantras. My father all the time says, ‘Deva, all the time hold your head in your shoulders,’ which means to be accountable and keep clear-headed, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you. My mom, however, usually says, ‘Magnificence is sort of a Ferrari – for those who don’t know how you can drive it, you’ll crash.’ That’s one other type of accountability. One factor they each have in widespread, even when expressed otherwise, is that they taught me to trust in myself and gave me immense freedom in my decisions. The independence they instilled in me is important for navigating life.”
GRAZIA: The place do you see your self sooner or later?
CASSEL: Oh, I don’t even know what I’ll be doing tomorrow! I don’t have particular plans, however I do know what I need to be. Initially, I need to all the time pay attention to the significance of the current – one thing I used to underestimate. Six months in the past, a director urged I attempt meditation to understand the second, and it’s introduced me a variety of stability. Most significantly, in 10, 20, or 50 years, I simply need to be comfortable. It sounds easy, however it’s not. It’s a must to know your self deeply to grasp what really makes you cheerful.
EXPLORE GRAZIA’S FULL FASHION SHOOT WITH DEVA CASSEL HERE.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SABINE VILLIARD
FASHION STYLIST: AURELIEN STORNY / STORNY + MISERICORDIA
HAIR: JOHN NOLLET
MAKEUP: JOLANTA CEDRO USING DIOR BEAUTY
MANICURE: PHILIPPE OVAK
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS: HELENE BOZZI & NICOLAS DARDE
FASHION ASSISTANT: AZIN MOGHADDAM
HAIR ASSISTANT: PIERRICK SELLENET
WORDS: EVA MORLETTO
TALENT: DEVA CASSEL
WITH THANKS TO: AMBASSADE D’ITALIE
THIS FEATURE IS PUBLISHED IN THE 21ST EDITION OF GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.
TOP BANNER IMAGE: COTTON SILK FAILLE V-NECK DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, LONG GLOVES IN STRETCH NAPPA, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR. HANDMADE HEADPIECE, JOHN NOLLET, SHOP SIMILAR. PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER BRACELET, SHOP NOW, PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER RING IN YELLOW GOLD WITH ONYX, BLACK LACQUER AND TSAVORITE GARNETS, SHOP NOW, CARTIER
