Welcome to this site!
Here you will find articles about my personal work, but a large part of this space is also dedicated to Monica Guerritore – a remarkable woman whom I had the pleasure of getting to know. Her interest in my work gave me an incredible boost, something for which I am deeply grateful.
Monica Guerritore is an acclaimed Italian actress, writer, and director. She is especially known for her impressive work in theater, as well as for her roles in film and television. Her career spans decades of artistic depth, during which she has brought powerful, multi-layered female characters to life and directed theatrical projects that explore important social themes.
I had the honor to do create some Instagram posts for her – a unique opportunity that I embraced with great joy. In consultation with Monica herself, and with her full approval, a dedicated page has been created on this site featuring her projects, photos, articles, and much more.
You can follow her and her work on Instagram:
@monicaguerritore
Her production company: @luminamgr
Her film project Anna: @annailfilm
And I will also be regularly posting more articles and photos about her and all her creative work via my account: @kp_verhoeven
Monica Guerritore is a accomplished actress - theatre auteur - director - writer living in Rome, Italy.
She is working on her new project Anna Magnani!
Anna, a poignant film crafted by Monica Guerritore, who writes, directs, and stars, marks a historic portrayal of Anna Magnani, Italy’s most cherished actress. On March 21, 1956, Anna triumphs by winning the Oscar for Best Actress for The Rose Tattoo. The night before, she wanders the vibrant streets and piazzas of Rome, embraced by a loving crowd and haunted by cherished memories. Beside her is Carol Levi, a young woman poised to become her agent.
As dawn breaks, Anna revels in her victory; however, fate takes an unexpected turn, relegating her to the margins just as she reaches the pinnacle of her career. The film unfolds Anna’s audacious and spirited journey—rich with humor amid chaos—delving into the cinematic realm of Cinecittà, fraught with conflicts with directors and poignant betrayals. Ever-present in her thoughts is Roberto Rossellini, whose lingering influence leaves an indelible mark on her soul, enduring despite the passage of time. He will return to her, steadfastly by her side until the very end.
This is the story of a woman who never surrendered her voice — even as the world began to move on without her.
FAQs
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The film takes place over the course of a single night: March 21, 1956. Italian screen legend Anna Magnani is waiting to hear whether she has won the Oscar for The Rose Tattoo. Instead of nervously waiting by the phone, Monica Guerritore imagines that Magnani, unable to bear the silence, escapes into the night streets of Rome.
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The film follows Magnani from evening to morning:
Evening: She leaves her home and wanders through Roman bars and streets, seeking distraction and meaning.
Night: She dives into the nightlife of Via Veneto — full of melancholy, vitality, whispers, and memories.
Dawn: A magical, symbolic sunrise appears. Soon after comes the “day,” in which her Oscar victory is tinged with the early signs of fading prominence in the film industry.
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Inner solitude and lost love
The tension between triumph and decline
Female strength in a shifting film industry
The struggle to remain visible as an artist
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She describes the film as “cinematic poetry” — not a conventional biopic, but an intimate, imaginative journey through Magnani’s soul. Guerritore uses a three-part visual and emotional structure:
The dark night
The luminous dawn
The stark, painful day
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She organized public script readings in theaters and universities to incorporate audience feedback. These served as creative test beds: audience feedback directly informed the script, making contributors feel like collaborators rather tan donars.
She’s working with cinematographer Gino Sgreva (DOP). He is responsible for visually realizing Guerritore’s vison.
She’s funding the film partly through crowdfunding in Italy and North America. In autumn 2023, LUMINAMGR - Guerritore’s production company formed with her husband Roberto Zaccia - launched a Kickstarter campaign titled “FIRST FILM ON ANNA MAGNANI”. Guerritore described crownfunding as a “call to action” that places creative authority party in the hands of the public. The project also received funding from the Italian Ministry of Culture. Additional support came through RAI Cinema, a Swiss co-producer Catpix, and production partner Masi Film Srl.
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In addition to Monica Guerritore in the lead role of Anna Magnani, serveral acclaimed Italian actors join the cast:
Tomassa Ragno as Roberto Rosselini. Anna Magnani and Roberto Rossellini shared a passionate, intense relationship - both romantic and artistic. Their patnership gave birth to masterpieces like Rome, Open City (1945), marking a turning point in Italian cinema.
Thouh their affair ende when Rossellini began a new relationship with Ingrid Bergman, his bond with Magnani remained historically significant.
Beatrice Grannò will take on the role of Carla “Carol” Levi. Carla “Carol” Levi appears to be a fictional or composite character—a young woman from Anna Magnani’s world, rather than a strictly historical figure. Based on set photos showing Monica Guerritore (as Anna) and Beatrice in an intimate scene, Carol is likely a confidante, companion, or symbolic representation of the younger generation influencing Magnani during her nocturnal journey through Rome.
Francesca Cellini as Suso Cecchi d’Amico. She represented a rare and valuable bond in Anna Magnini’s life - a union of creativity, trust, and female strength in a film world largely dominated by men. Their relationship went far beyond a series if successful collaborations:
They deeply admired and respected one another.
They were intellectual and emotional counterparts - women xho made their voices heard at the highest artistic levels, despite the barriers of their time.
Anna Magnani an inspiration for other great artist…
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Monica Guerritore
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Bette Davis
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Meryl Streep
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Martin Scorsese
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Helen Mirren
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Woody Allen
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Penélope Cruz
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Tennessee Williams
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Pier Paolo Pasolini
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Jean Renoir
Great artist talking about Anna Magnani
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Monica Guerritore
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Bette Davis
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Meryl Streep
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Martin Scorsese
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Helen Mirren
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Woody Allen
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Penélope Cruz
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Tennesse Williams
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Pier Paolo Pasolini
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Jean Renoir
Born in Rome in 1958, Monica Guerritore — fresh off a huge hit on Netflix with ‘Deceitful
Love [INGANNO]’ — is one of the most talented and appreciated Italian actresses, theatre directors and playwrights.
The serie ‘Deceitful Love’ was met with immediate success and climbed into Netflix’s global Top 10, even reaching the number one spot in several countries, including the United States. Although it was initially conceived as a limited series, its popularity has fueled speculation about a second season. The first season ends on an ambiguous note, with Gabriella acknowledging Elia’s possible intentions but choosing to stay with him—leaving the door open for further narrative development.
She started her theatre career almost by chance and in a very cinematic way: Giorgio Strehler — the great theatre director — was looking for a young girl to play Anya in Cechov’s *The Cherry Orchard*, but the search seemed impossible. Until one day he saw Monica, by pure chance, on stage because she was accompanying a friend: so beautiful, so delicate… an Ingrid Bergman kind of girl. Strehler knew immediately she was perfect to play the daughter of the lovely ValentinaCortese in Cechov’s masterpiece.
She was only 15, and from that day she never stopped acting.
Her career spans several decades, during which she has appeared in numerous Italian films and television series, as well as international productions. In addition to acting, she has directed several theater productions.
Guerritore is celebrated for her contributions to Italian cinema and theater, earning critical acclaim and a loyal audience. Her recent work includes appearances in popular series on streaming platforms, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in contemporary Italian entertainment.
Monica Guerritore is much more than just a celebrated actress — she’s a passionate, engaged, and creative personality who has been committed to the arts, culture, and social issues for decades.
What she does:
Monica is active as a:
Actress: She performs in films, television series, and especially in theater. Her roles are often intense, dramatic, and powerfully feminine — think Lady Macbeth or Medea.
Director and writer: She not only stars in powerful theatrical roles but also writes and directs original works. Recently, she wrote and directed a new film project about legendary Italian actress Anna Magnani, a tribute that explores Magnani’s life, struggles, and enduring influence on Italian cinema. Guerritore’s direction honors Magnani’s legacy while adding her own voice and interpretation to a cultural icon.
Cultural ambassador: She uses her voice beyond the stage as well, engaging in interviews, public debates, and on social media to speak out on women’s rights, freedom of expression, and the vital role of the arts in society
What she contributes to:
Women’s empowerment: Much of her work centers on the strength, complexity, and resilience of women. She helps shape the cultural narrative around gender, identity, and female agency.
Preserving theater and culture: Guerritore is a strong advocate for keeping live performance and classical theater alive, especially in an era dominated by digital entertainment.
Social involvement: She is vocal in supporting human rights, civil liberties, and cultural education, often collaborating with schools and civic organizations.
What kind of person she is:
Passionate and intense: Both on stage and in her public presence, she exudes conviction, emotional depth, and integrity.
Bold and fearless: She doesn’t shy away from complex or controversial topics, and she isn’t afraid to challenge norms — artistically or socially.
Thoughtful and insightful: Her work is rich with emotional nuance and intellectual depth, always striving to reflect deeper truths about the human condition.
In short: Monica Guerritore is an artist with purpose. Through her work as an actress, writer, and director — including her latest film honoring Anna Magnani — she continues to inspire, provoke, and contribute to a more compassionate and culturally rich society.
“ Non l’ho imitata né nella voce né nel viso. Insisto: le ho offerto me stessa, il mio viso, il mio corpo, la mia realtà d’attrice, persino i miei capelli. Saranno gli spettatori che si abitueranno lentamente alla sintesi finale. Anna era piena di colori interiori a tinte forti. E lo stesso vale per me ”
“Monica Guerritore”
UPCOMING EVENTS & SHOWS
UPCOMING EVENTS & SHOWS
Saterday 30 August
Piazza XIII Martiri Lovere - 21:00
Rome, Italy
A moving and evocative poetic-musical performance by Monica Guerritore and Giovanni Nuti, dedicated to the unforgettable voice of poet Alda Merini. Through Guerritore’s powerful interpretation and Nuti’s original music, the show brings to life Merini’s verses—rich with love, madness, suffering, and beauty. An intense and intimate experience that blends theatre and song, celebrating one of Italy’s most profound literary voices.
Month
Venue
Rome, Italy
Additional events and performances will be added as soon as further details are available. More will be added…I’ll keep you in the loop! Thanks for you patience.
Month
Venue
Firenze, Italy
Additional events and performances will be added as soon as further details are available. More will be added…I’ll keep you in the loop! Thanks for you patience.
Career Highlights
She does it all — films, series, theatre, and public talks — and she masters them with ease. Monica Guerritore moves effortlessly between genres and styles, from classical drama to contemporary storytelling, from intense monologue to light-hearted comedy. Whether she’s performing on screen, commanding the stage, or speaking directly to an audience, she brings the same fierce intelligence, emotional depth, and artistic precision. Her ability to adapt, lead, and transform across so many forms of expression makes her one of the most versatile and respected voices in Italian culture today.
La Lupa
La Lupa is a powerful verismo drama based on the novella by Giovanni Verga. Set in a poor Sicilian village, the story centers on Pina, nicknamed “La Lupa” for her uncontrollable sexual desire. She becomes obsessed with a young farmer, Nanni, who rejects her and marries her daughter Maricchia. Despite this, Pina continues to seduce him, leading to tension, shame, and ultimately violence.
Monica Guerritore plays Pina with intense passion and sensuality. Her character embodies the central theme: the destructive force of unchecked desire within a closed, traditional community. The film shows how instinct and passion can overpower reason and social norms.
Inganno
Inganno is a stylish and emotionally charged Italian miniseries that follows Gabriella, a wealthy woman in her sixties who runs a boutique hotel on the Amalfi Coast. Recently divorced, she begins a passionate relationship with Elia, a mysterious man in his thirties. Their romance reignites her sense of freedom and desire but causes tension with her children and ex-husband, who suspect Elia may have ulterior motives.
The series explores themes of age-gap relationships, the clash between personal happiness and family expectations, and the risk of following desire over reason.
Monica Guerritore plays the lead role of Gabriella with elegance and emotional depth, portraying a woman rediscovering her identity and sensuality. Her performance earned her the 2025 Nastro d’Argento award for Protagonist of the Year.
Fred & Ginger
Ginger & Fred is a theatrical adaptation of Federico Fellini’s famous film. It tells the story of two former dance partners, once known as Ginger and Fred, who reunite after many years to appear on a TV variety show. As they rehearse for their brief comeback, they reflect on their past, lost dreams, and the superficiality of modern entertainment.
At the heart of the play is Monica Guerritore, who plays Amelia “Ginger” Bonetti. She is also the director and adaptor of the show, bringing a fresh, critical take on the original. Her role is central—both on stage and behind the scenes—as she breathes new life into Fellini’s vision with emotional depth, elegance, and modern relevance.
Joan of Arc
Tireless, perfectionist, and always seeking big challenges, she wrote directed and performed ‘Joan of Arc’ - a real tour de force - from 2005 - 2009. The play is now also being performed in France in a French translation by Jean Paul Manganaro (translator of Calvino and Pasolini).
Monica stands alone on stage, yet with minimal props - a rope, a stake, lighting, and music - she conjures an entire world. Her Jeanne is not a distant historical icon, but a fiery young woman who follows her inner calling and resists a world that does not understand her. Guerritore portrays her with physical and emotional strength that deeply moves the audience: every glance and movement carries meaning.
Husband and Wives
She adapted Woody Allen’s screenplay ‘Husband and Wives’ for the stgae - with Mr. Allen’s permission.
In ‘Mariti e Mongli’, Guerritore masterfully adapts and directs the story of two couples facing the unraveling of their relationships. When one couple splits up, a chain reaction of doubt, jealousy, and hidden longing is set in motion.
End of the Rainbow
She played an iconic Judy Garland in ‘End of the Rainbow’, where she also proved to be a talented live singer.
“End of the Rainbow” tells the gripping story of the final weeks in the life of legendary singer Jury Garland. The Italian adaptation of this internationally acclaimed play gains powerful emotional depth through the exceptional performance of Monica Guerritore, who brings Garland to life in all her vulnerability, rage, humor, and longing.
The Cherry Orchard
Giorgio Strehler knew immediately Monica was perfect to play the daughter of the lovely Valentina Cortese in Cechov’s masterpiec.
She was only 15. She made her stage debut at a young age as Anya. The young daughter full of hope for change, embodied a new generation.
From dreamy youth to fading aristocrazy, Guerritore gave both faces of Chekhov’s masterpiece a powerful soul.
La Lupa
The film ‘La Lupa/ She Wolf’ turned her into an internationally acclaimed dramatic star. La lupa is a Italian drama, adapted from the classic short story by Giavanni Verga. Set in the rigid and patriarchal society of 19th-century Sicily, the film follows a fiercely independent and passionate woman, known as “La Lupa” - played by Monica Guerritore - who defies societal norms in pursuit of desier and emotional truth.
The good Person of Sezuan
In 2019, she took on another majar challenge: directing and starring in Brecht’s ‘The good Person of Sezaun’, as a tribute to her beloved mentor Giorgio Strehler. “I’m not afraid",” she declaired. “I stand on a giant’s shoulders.’
Monica Guerritore emphasizes the timeless struggle between idealism and survival, showing how modern society - like Brecht’s - demands masks and compromises. Her poetic staging, emotional depth, and use of symbolic music connect the story directly to today’s world, making it urgent, moving, and deeply human.
Inganno
The serie ‘Deceitful Love’ was met with immediate succes and climbed into Netflix’s global Top 10, even reaching number one spot in several countries, including the US.
Sant’Agostino
She portrayed Saint Monica in Christian Duguay’s ‘Sant'‘Agostino’, The Englisch version is titled ‘Restless Heart: The confessions of St. Agustine’.
It is a two-part TV miniserie depicting Augustine’s journey from a life of excess to faith and leadership. Guerritore plays his mother, Monica, as a quit yet powerful presence: unwavering in prayer and essential to his conversion. Her role forms the emotional core of his spiritual transformation.
Quel che so di lei. Donne prigioniere di amori straordinari (“What I Know About Her: Women Imprisoned by Extraordinary Loves”) by Monica Guerritore is a powerful literary narrative that intertwines the tragic fate of Giulia Trigona – an aristocratic woman murdered by her lover in 1911 – with the voices of iconic female characters from literature and theatre. Guerritore, an actress herself, enters Giulia’s mind during her final hours and, through her, brings to life eight other women: Emma Bovary, La Lupa, Carmen, Oriana Fallaci, and others.
These women share a common thread: they are trapped in passionate, often destructive, relationships. Guerritore explores why they allow themselves to be consumed, what binds them to men who ultimately destroy them. This is not a crime reconstruction, but a profound meditation on passion, submission, seduction, and resistance. Written in a poetic and almost theatrical style, the book invites readers to reflect on the vulnerability — and the strength — of female desire.
The result is a moving and timely work about love as a prison — but also about the possibility of liberation.
La forza del cuore: Le sfide della mia vita by Monica Guerritore is a deeply personal and moving memoir that explores the emotional and artistic journey of one of Italy’s most celebrated actresses. In this intimate account, Guerritore reflects on the defining moments of her life — from her early debut on stage under the direction of Giorgio Strehler, to the passionate and sometimes painful relationships that shaped her identity, including her long partnership with director Gabriele Lavia.
Through love, heartbreak, motherhood, and professional transformation, she discovers the true strength that lies in vulnerability and self-awareness. The book also touches on the challenges of illness, both her own and those of her loved ones, showing how even in the face of suffering, the human heart remains capable of healing and renewal.
Guerritore speaks candidly about aging, the shifting meaning of beauty, and the need for women to reclaim their space — in love, in work, and within themselves. Written in a vivid, theatrical, and introspective style, La forza del cuore is not just the story of an actress, but a universal reflection on resilience, identity, and the power of emotional truth.