The childhood and adolescence of one of the best character actors of Italian cinema.
Sandro Ghiani wrote “ Bread and Sugar ” together with his wife Rosa Castrogiovanni .
«The existence of the protagonist, Antonello, is my life. The starting point is the small hamlet of Caput Acquas, a hamlet of Carbonia, where I was born . But, I want to clarify that it is not a simple story, a mere self-referential biography or a nostalgic memoir. The intent is also to give the reader feelings and emotions that go beyond my personal experiences."
Ghiani and his wife Rosa are in Sardinia these days to present the volume. The two stages, on 12 and 13 October , in Northern Sardinia: in Sassari in the Vecchio Mulino room (in via Frigaglia) and in Olbia in the "Alfonso De Roberto" room of the Simpliciana civic library (in dialogue with Antonello Budroni) starting at 6pm .
Saturday 14 October, at 6pm, the meeting in Cagliari , at the “Maurizio Falqui” Institute for the Blind, in via Nicolodi. In addition to the authors, the commissioner of the organization Maurizio Porcelli and the journalist Luigi Alfonso intervene. The following day, at 5.30 pm, the meeting in San Giovanni Suergiu in the city council chamber in the presence of the mayor Elvira Usai.
The plot of "Bread and Sugar" was born and developed during the forced confinement in the most critical period of the health emergency caused by Covid: «With Rosa, who has always loved reading and writing, - explains Sandro Ghiani - we analyzed the material available, the complex and messy archive of memories of my life. We began a long journey of research and study to redesign the shape of the story, transfigure the characters on the page, while respecting the events that actually happened. We like to talk about the emotions and moods that arise from those facts."
In the cinema
Ghiani has over 50 films in his CV, without neglecting roles on TV in dramas and dramas: «The actors I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with are many. First of all the actresses: good and beautiful like Laura Antonelli, Eleonora Giorgi, Ornella Muti. Then Lino Banfi, Nino Manfredi, Adriano Celentano, Jerry Calà, meetings that enriched my life. The relationship with the directors has also always been very constructive. I remember Ettore Scola in particular. With him I shot “Passione d'amore” thanks to which I was nominated for best supporting actor for the David di Donatello. But the film I am most attached to for the emotions it aroused in me is “Spaghetti House” with Nino Manfredi. On the set there was an atmosphere of great concentration and religious silence."
The relationship with Sardinia has never been broken : «I spent a wonderful childhood in Caput Acquas. I left the island very young due to complicated family events. I lived first in Piedmont and then in Rome. I return to the island for holidays and to visit my family. I have been following Cagliari, as a true fan, despite the ups and downs, since 1970, an exciting year."
Now thoughts turn to his second work. “Bread and Sugar” comes after “The Angel Next Door” written together with Susanna Trossero. «For me this book also represents a return to my Sardinian roots, to my deepest personal motivations, to a reworking of many moments of my life. A journey with many stages, exciting but also painful at times."
The novel, with the cover created by Alessandro Cau, is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle digitally.
