"My great desire is to act in Sardinia." The wish of actor Bruno Putzulu, well-known and appreciated in France on TV, stage, and film, is accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia for Aidomaggiore, where he spent many summers and from where his father Giovanni left in the 1960s to seek a more secure future. Destination: Toutainville, Normandy, where Bruno was born. On Putzulu Island, inevitably Putzulù in France, he would like to present "La lettre d'Italie," the story of his search for his father's roots through a letter found by chance. He shares the stage with Pascal Castelletta, Rocco Femia, Cristina Marocco, and Isabelle Rattier . The text and adaptation are by his brother Mario.
The Sardinian-French actor, who worked for the Comédie-Française and made a dazzling film debut in 1995 with Bertrand Tavernier's "L'esca," describes his dream of returning home with a meaningful piece, at Fulvio Trogu's restaurant, a temple of fine dining in the heart of the Marais district and a gathering place for many French film stars, including screenwriter Jacques Fieschi and Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux. Tavernier himself and composer Francis Lai, with strong roots in Ozieri and winner of the 1971 Academy Award for his score for the film "Love Story," were also regulars at Fulvio's restaurant, originally from Dolianova.
“The Ritals”
Bruno Putzulu also presents "Les Ritals," another show about immigration, based on the book by Francois Cavanna, one of the two founders of the satirical newspaper "Charlie Hebdo," which chronicles the life of the Italian community in France. "Rital" is the derogatory term used to refer to immigrants from Italy.
"I've maintained," he tells us, "a very close bond with Sardinia. I have wonderful memories of holidays in Aidomaggiore with my parents and siblings. My favorite team is the red and blue Cagliari jersey, and my idol is Gigi Riva. I watch all the Cagliari matches on TV."
In 2012, in Castelsardo, he received the "Navicella" award, given to Sardinians who have distinguished themselves in various fields: from theater to art, medicine, cinema, science, music, journalism, and sports. He is also a singer: "I've always loved singing. Acting and singing express boundless freedom. Music helps us live and brightens our days. When I was 14, I listened to an Adriano Celentano album. It was a very pleasant discovery. His songs have incredible energy."
The new show
In Paris, besieged by the heatwave, Bruno Putzulu is currently rehearsing "Diplomatie," one of the most anticipated debuts of the new season, opening September 23 at the Théâtre Hebertot on Boulevard Batignolles. He stars alongside Dominique Pinon. Putzulu plays a diplomat, the Swedish consul general, who prevents the destruction of the Nazi-occupied City of Light. This is another step in his artistic journey, as he awaits the realization of his dream of bringing "La lettre d'Italie" to Sardinia.