Isabella Rossellini Makes Art From Animal Sex
Isabella Rossellini's has set out on a truly artistic endeavor with her Sundance Channel series 'Seduce Me,' which features portrayals of various animals copulating.
If you haven't heard of 'Seduce Me,' you may have heard of its previous incarnation, 'Green Porno,' which underwent a name change after advertisers were scared off by the use of the word "porno."
Rossellini has become legendary for many things: her famous parents, Ingrid Bergman and Italian film director Roberto Rossellini; her eclectic film roles, including the disturbed nightclub singer in David Lynch's 'Blue Velvet'; and her longtime stint as the face of Lancome. Her latest project merges her directorial and acting skills with her occasionally quirky sensibilities.
PopEater caught up with the ageless beauty last week to chat about 'Seduce Me,' why she doesn't publicize her philanthropic efforts and how she manages to look so darn good all the time.
How is 'Seduce Me' different from 'Green Porno'?
We wanted to continue in the same vein as 'Green Porno,' but the advertisers contacted us and said they didn't want it to be called 'Green Porno.' They weren't concerned about the content. They were concerned about the name. They have a list of words that can't be used. We didn't think we would have this kind of success that we have now, so now we have to adjust to their general demands.
Do you think that's because American advertisers are prudes?
Oh, I don't know. No. But I don't think they would have cared as much in Europe.
How is it that you always look so beautiful?
I do nothing. Absolutely nothing. I also think there is a stereotype. You don't have to say I look beautiful.
You have always been very philanthropic and now your daughter, Elletra, seems to have picked up that torch. Did she inherit her humanitarianism from you?
I have a double-edged feeling about that. I am taken aback with the way charity is presented these days. Until a few years ago, I found it indiscreet if journalists asked me if I had a boyfriend and now they always ask me what is my charity, which I find a strange question. I don't know why it has become so important to ask people what they do. Some people may feel like doing more and some may feel like doing less and some people don't want to talk about it. I think it is a marketing and PR decision to attach a celebrity to a cause and get the press to talk about it. They use them as bait.
What was the best advice your parents ever gave you about your career?
They died so many years ago. I should be ready with this kind of answer because it is one of the things I am often asked. I think it is to try to stay in the field and work because you have to dedicate so many of your hours to work. So you have to find a field that is interesting.
Have you found it hard to work in your field as an actress as you have gotten older?
My gift is so particular because I have this accent. It is amazing that I have worked in America, considering I have the accent and I am a foreigner, but there does seem to be less work now, and I think that is due to my age and I hear my American actress friends say they don't work because of their ages. It is different in Europe. In Europe, ageism seems to be less aggressive than it is in America.
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I saw her at Epcot Disney at the Processional Ceremony. She was a disgrace. What in the world was Disney thinking of. Furthermore I would have thought she could speak English a little better now that she has been here for 58 years. What a disgrace.
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I saw that performance too. I thought she did a wonderful job. You're the one that's a disgrace.
Hurray for her stance on celebrity's trotting out "their" charities for PR purposes. You want to do good? Do it. And shut up about it.
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Joseph, She did several shows on several nights and she had an extra/ stand in to help her. I wonder which performance you attended.
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did she play in the movie Casa Blanca with Bogart?
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who's the guy in the picture?
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