Domiziano Arcangeli, whose renown as an actor spans across continents, can soon be seen in the cult horror film Werewolf in a Women’s Prison, directed by Jeff Leroy
and screening at the New Beverly Cinema at midnight on Saturday, May 12. In demand around the world, Domiziano has already starred in 37 feature films, 8 television series, and several theater productions in the United States and his native Italy. This year, fans can look forward to numerous new projects for Domi, such as the supernatural thriller The Seer, the TNT miniseries Bible Proven, and the independent comedy Thrust.
Domi launched his acting career in Italy at the age of 13 with a part in The Good Soldier, directed by Academy Award winner Franco Brusati. Since then, the international film industry has sought his skills and talent as well. He is equally comfortable with playing the villain or the hero; starring in films, TV shows, or music videos; or taking advantage of his fluency in Italian, English, or French.
U.S. audiences may best remember Domi for his role in The Name of the Rose, starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater, or Devil’s Highway with Dennis Hopper, but his Stateside exposure extends further. Domi has also garnered screen time with parts in Sin’s Kitchen on Showtime, Cannibal World on Cinemax, and Chromium Blue for Showtime Beyond. Along the way, Domi has worked with respected directors and producers such as Federico Fellini, Jean Jacques Annaud, Franco Brusati, and Zalman King.
But here’s a bit about this international actor in his own words…
What is your favorite genre of film to act in and why?
I should say personal films. Because they are unique, they sometimes create a style, they’re groundbreaking and they empower the imagination. I believe in filmmaking. I’m aware of the necessities of the industry, but as an artist I’m fascinated by the creative process. I think it is important to make movies outside the system because they let the stories and authors speak for themselves. And for the actors it is more of a challenge: it is like life, you can’t think of it too much, you have to go for it!
What was it like being in a Fellini film?
The movie was called Intervista and was made in 1987. It changed my career, and it deeply affected me at the end. Some of his advice and corrections, some of his looks, the way he would operate on a movie set…I will never be able to forget that. He taught me how to use my eyes for the camera, which I think is the foundation of the job. He was a true visionary.
Tell me about some of the directors you’ve worked with. What makes them stand out in your mind?
I have always been fascinated by directors: I love to see what I can do under different eyes!
Liliana Cavani who was internationally well known for The Night Porter directed me in a movie about the moving story of St. Francis of Assisi with Mickey Rourke and Helena Bonham-Carter. Cavani was an incredible director, so delicate and shy but powerful and energetic like nobody I had seen before. She was very demanding.
Mauro Bolognini who has done many, many movies in Europe and he’s a part of film history also. He became one of my closest friends in Rome. I could have not lived without his precious advice. He had an extremely careful eye; he would notice everything, even the smallest imperfection…
Tinto Brass, the controversial master of Peter O’Toole’s Caligula. He directed me in a movie called Paprika which took place in post World War Italy and talked openly about brothels and how they influenced our costumes, love, sex behavior, and history as well. He was another extremely visionary director and a real pleasure to work with. He was so generous and funny, yet so deeply affecting in his directions.
And all the cult directors I worked with from Umberto Lenzi to Aldo Lado to Stelvio Massi or Joe D’Amato and Anthony Dawson, just to name a few, who made very innovative horror/Sci Fi adventure films, sometimes with minimal budgets, able to create atmosphere and situations that today are still influencing many directors internationally.
Zalman King directed me for 2 years in the Showtime series Chromium Blue. A real master of the lights and beautiful images! Temperamental and mercurial, but one of the best of the Erotica genre ever!
I’ve learned from every director I’ve worked with!
What sets you apart from other actors?
I always rely on my emotions. If they don’t ring true, I won’t even be able to speak the lines properly. I think I have a very distinguished look, and my acting goes along with that. I don’t have a real method but listen to myself and when I’m playing a character I try to give it my own personal experience to make it come alive. I’m always intense, I believe.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Be patient, be wise, work hard, never give up, work harder, and don’t say no to anything. If you are an actor you need to be working on stage, not going out at night!
What can we expect to see you in the upcoming months?
A bunch of projects are waiting for distribution. I cannot even name them all! Flores De Perversion by cult director Jesus Franco just opened in Spain and South America; the campy horror, Werewolf in A Woman’s Prison will be released in August (screening May 19 at the New Beverly), along with the TV mini series Bible Proven, and The Seer will open wide in Europe in the fall and eventually here.
More on Domiziano on IMDB
www.domizianoarcangeli.com
