“It was an icon of the Dolce Vita and the last of the playboys”

«Jean Paul Belmondo it is indissolubly linked to Rome, to the “Dolce Vita”, to Via Veneto, to Jackie O ‘. We have lost a great character who loved our city ». Music and words by Rino Barillari, The King of Paparazzi, the man who not only lived the Capitoline sweet life, but who above all told it, thanks to his photos.

Rino Barillari, is it true that you were the last to photograph him in Rome?

“Yes, he was with Alain Delon’s son and his son. They were at Harry’s Bar, just for an interview on the dolce vita ».

Belmondo loved Rome, didn’t he?

“Ehhhh. Absolutely. He was very close. And Rome loved him: when he passed through Via Condotti he stopped the traffic, the women were all in love with him. Even today, when I show a photo of her from the time, the very young go crazy. He didn’t let one slip away. ‘

What was Belmondo’s Rome?

«Well, Via Veneto first of all. He always frequented the Harris bar, he often went to Club 84, he loved Trastevere like a Roman. Occasionally you could also find it in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. And then he went to Al piccolo mondo, in a side street of Via Veneto. And also Piazza Farnese, from Camponeschi ».

When did you meet?

«In the 60s, around the city. He was a helpful person, never angry, not like the English who first drink and then are always pissed off “

What do you remember about him?

“I did one of my scoops with him. We were right at the end of the Dolce Vita, it was ’71. He fell madly in love with Laura Antonelli. Antonelli was in Beatrice Iannozzi’s restaurant, the Jackie O ‘in Via Boncompagni. She was wearing a fur coat and went over to the dresser. She gave him the number to take it back but Sandrelli told her “I have no money with me, but as soon as my husband arrives I pay”. But Jean-Paul Belmondo came to settle the bill. My photos went around the world. Then there was also Ursula Andress ».

Did he “catch” them too?

“Sure. They were together in Rome, shopping spree. Photographed them too. But it was the time of mythical characters, who had great respect for us paparazzi. Serious people ».

Who are you referring to?

“Him, Alain Delon, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Brigitte Bardot, Roger Vadim … all of them, in the Eternal City at the time of the Holywood on the Tiber, with more than 35 films a year shot in Cinecitta … For us, paparazzi was beautiful: our photos went around the world. And they advertised in Rome ».

With the death of Jean Paul Belmondò, does the last star go away?

«No, the last star absolutely not. A character that no one will forget from the film disappears The ciociara»

Why did the characters of that period have a charm that those of today don’t? Or is it just a question of the distance of time?

“These of today don’t have a story to tell. We only have Favino, who in fact is nicknamed “Marcello”. Those characters had a story, there was a different cinema, the rooms were full, they had all studied acting and dramaturgy. Some of those of today can say a few bad words at best. But Belmondo remains an icon of the dolce vita ».

Last updated: Monday 6 September 2021, 11:07 pm

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