Asia Argento

Asia Argento
Born Aria Maria Vittoria Rossa Argento
(1975-09-20) 20 September 1975
Rome
Nationality Italian
Other names Aria Argento
Occupation Actress, director, singer, model, DJ, writer
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s)
Michele Civetta
(m. 2008; div. 2013)
Partner(s) Marco Castoldi (2000–2006)
Children 2
Parent(s)
Relatives
Website asiargento.it

Asia Argento (Italian: [ˈaːzja arˈdʒɛnto];[1] born Aria Maria Vittoria Rossa Argento, 20 September 1975)[2] is an Italian actress, director, singer and model. The daughter of filmmaker Dario Argento, she is best known for her roles in the films XXX (2002), Land of the Dead (2005) and Marie Antoinette (2006). Awards she has won include two David di Donatello for Best Actress for Let's Not Keep in Touch (1994) and Traveling Companion (1996).[3]

After the Weinstein scandal in 2017, she became a leader of the "#MeToo" women's rights movement.[4] In August 2018, The New York Times detailed allegations that Argento sexually assaulted actor Jimmy Bennett in 2013 when he was 17 and she was 37;[5] Argento denied the allegations.[6]

Early life

Asia Argento and her father Dario at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival

Her father is Dario Argento, an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter, well known for his work in the Italian giallo genre and for his influence on modern horror and slasher movies.[7] Her mother is actress Daria Nicolodi and her maternal great-grandfather was composer Alfredo Casella.[2]

When Argento was born in Rome, the city registry office refused to acknowledge "Asia" as an appropriate name, and instead officially inscribed her as "Aria" (a name accepted by the city registry). She nonetheless always went by the name Asia, which she later used professionally.[8] Argento has said that as a child she was lonely and depressed, owing in part to her parents' work.[9] Her father used to read her his horror scripts as bedtime stories.[10] At age eight, Argento published a book of poems.[10] At the age of 14, she ran away from home.[9]

Argento has mentioned in interviews that she does not have a close relationship with her father.[11][12] She has mentioned that he was absent when she was a child, and has also mentioned that, because of this, she did not have a happy childhood.[13] Regarding her relationship with her father and her reason for acting, she has stated that:

I never acted out of ambition; I acted to gain my father's attention. It took a long time for him to notice me – I started when I was nine, and he only cast me when I was 16. And he only became my father when he was my director. I always thought it was sick to choose looking at yourself on a big screen as your job. There has to be something crooked in your mind to want to be loved by everybody. It's like being a prostitute, to share that intimacy with all those people.

In an interview with Filmmaker magazine, she stated that, at one time, "I was sick for a while; I was agoraphobic. I was afraid to go out of my apartment for a long time, I could only go out to work." [13]

Career

Asia Argento began to act at the age of nine,[14] when she was cast in a small role in a film by Sergio Citti.[11] When she was 18, she starred in her father's film Trauma (1993).[13] She received the David di Donatello[15] (Italy's version of the Academy Award) for Best Actress in 1994 for her performance in Perdiamoci di vista, and again in 1996 for Compagna di viaggio, which also earned her a Grolla d'oro award. Argento subsequently began to appear in English-language movies, such as B. Monkey and New Rose Hotel (both 1998). Argento also performed in French-language roles, beginning with Charlotte de Sauve La Reine Margot (1994).[13]

Around the same time, she made her first foray into directing with the short films Prospettive and A ritroso (both 1994) and a documentary about her father (in 1996) and Abel Ferrara (in 1998).[13] In 2000, Argento directed and wrote her first fiction feature film, Scarlet Diva (2000),[13] which her father co-produced.[13] In a review, Filmmaker magazine called the film "riotously funny" and dubbed Argento "a filmmaker with a great degree of promise."[13]

Argento at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival

She achieved wider recognition when she portrayed Russian undercover spy Yelena in the Hollywood action film xXx (2002),[16] alongside Vin Diesel.[17] The film grossed $277.4 million and launched Argento to international fame. She directed her second feature film, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004), based on a book by JT LeRoy,[12] the pen name of Laura Albert. According to a Paris Review interview with Laura Albert, Argento and Savannah Knoop (who played the role of JT's public persona) became lovers.[18]

In addition to her cinematic accomplishments, Argento has written a number of stories for magazines such as Dynamo and L'Espresso, while her first novel, titled I Love You Kirk, was published in Italy in 1999. She has modeled for the denim jeans brand Miss Sixty.[19] She became a fan of the band Hondo Maclean when they wrote a track named after her and liked the track so much that she sent them pictures which they used as the cover of their 2003 album Plans for a Better Day.[20]

She appeared in Placebo's music video for "This Picture", and appeared on Placebo frontman Brian Molko's cover version of "Je t'aime... moi non plus". Argento has also starred in Catherine Breillat's period drama The Last Mistress.[21][22] She dubbed the Italian version of the video game Mirror's Edge in the role of the runner Faith Connors, from 2008 to 2009.

Argento has been part of the Legendary Tiger Man's project Femina, which was released on 14 September 2009. She is featured on the song "Life Ain't Enough for You", which was released as a single along with the B-side "My stomach is the most violent of all Italy", in which she also contributes vocals.[23]

In May 2013, Argento's debut album, entitled Total Entropy, was released by Nuun Music.[24]

In 2014, Argento played supporting role in the British film Shongram, a fictional romantic drama based around the factual and historical events of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.[25][26]

Also in 2014, she directed her third feature film, titled Misunderstood (2014), was selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at that year's Cannes Film Festival.[27] That year, while promoting the film, Argento stated that she was through with acting and that she had made the decision to focus her energies on writing and directing.[28]

Personal life

Argento at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival

Besides Italian, Argento speaks English and French, which she learned for her role in Les Morsures de L'Aube.[13]

Her first child, Anna Lou, was born in 2001.[29] Italian rock and roll musician Marco Castoldi (lead singer of Bluvertigo), also known as Morgan, is the father.[10] She named her daughter after her half-sister Anna Ceroli, who died in a motorcycle accident.

Argento married film director Michele Civetta on 27 August 2008 in Arezzo. Her second child, Nicola Giovanni, was born in 2008 in Rome. The couple divorced in 2013.[9] She and her children live in Vigna Clara neighborhood of Rome.[14]

In early 2017, it was reported by several Italian news sources that Argento was in a relationship with celebrity chef and host of Parts Unknown Anthony Bourdain.[30][31][32] Bourdain died of an apparent suicide in Kaysersberg-Vignoble, Haut-Rhin, France, on 8 June 2018.[33]

Harvey Weinstein scandal

Argento alleged in an October 2017 New Yorker article by Ronan Farrow that she had been sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in the 1990s. She also said that she had consensual sexual relations with him multiple times over the course of the next five years. She confirmed that a scene in Scarlet Diva where her character is accosted by a movie executive was indeed a reference to Weinstein.[34] Later, Argento stated that the "article did a huge disservice to me and to my truth by simplifying all this," and accused Farrow of "misrepresenting" what happened to her.[35]

After being criticised for her account in Italian media and politics, Argento moved to Germany to escape what she described as a culture of "victim blaming" in Italy.[36]

Argento delivered a speech on 20 May 2018, following the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, calling the festival Weinstein's "hunting ground", alleging that she was raped by Weinstein in Cannes when she was 21. She added, "And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women."[37]

Alleged sexual assault of Jimmy Bennett

On 19 August 2018, The New York Times published allegations that Argento sexually assaulted actor Jimmy Bennett, then 17, in a California hotel suite in 2013; she was 37 at the time.[5] Argento had first met Bennett when he played Argento's son in the 2004 film The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things when Bennett was seven years old.[5] According to Bennett, in their 2013 encounter Argento gave him alcohol, performed oral sex on him and engaged him in sexual intercourse;[5] she later paid him $380,000 as a settlement.[5]

Argento denied the allegation of sexual assault. She said that she never had a sexual encounter with Bennett, and that when he made a request for money to her, her partner Anthony Bourdain paid him to avoid negative publicity.[6] Following Argento's denials, a photograph of her topless in bed with Bennett was published, as well as her alleged admission of sex with him in text messages to Rain Dove.[38] In a letter published online in September 2018, Argento's attorney admits there was a sexual encounter, but claims that Bennett "sexually attacked" Argento.[39] Amid the allegations, it was announced Argento has been dropped as a judge on X-Factor Italy.[40]

Recognition

In 2012, Argento was highlighted in the retrospective Argento: Il Cinema Nel Sangue at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.[41] The retrospective celebrated the influence of the Argento family on filmmaking in Italy and around the world. It highlighted Asia's contribution as well as that of her and mother (Daria Nicolodi), father, grandfather (Salvatore), and uncle (Claudio).[42][43][44]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Demons 2 Ingrid Haller Debut
1988 Zoo Martina
1989 The Church Lotte
1989 Red Wood Pigeon Valentina
1992 Close Friends Simona
1993 Trauma Aura Petrescu
1993 Condannato a nozze Olivia a.k.a. Diary of a Man Condemned to Marriage
1994 DeGenerazione Lorna
1994 Perdiamoci di vista Arianna a.k.a. Let's Not Keep in Touch
1994 Queen Margot Charlotte de Sauve
1996 The Stendhal Syndrome Det. Anna Manni
1996 Traveling Companion Cora
1998 Viola Kisses Everybody Viola
1998 New Rose Hotel Sandii
1998 B. Monkey Beatrice
1998 The Phantom of the Opera Christine Daaé
2000 Scarlet Diva Anna Battista Also wrote and directed
2001 Les Morsures de l'aube Violaine Charlier a.k.a. Love Bites
2002 The Red Siren Det. Anita Staro
2002 xXx Yelena
2004 The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things Sarah Also co-wrote and directed
2004 The Keeper Gina
2005 Last Days Asia
2005 Cindy: The Doll Is Mine Cindy Sherman / The Model Short film
2005 Land of the Dead Slack
2006 Live Freaky! Die Freaky! Habagail Folger (voice)
2006 Marie Antoinette Madame du Barry
2006 Transylvania Zingarina
2006 Friendly Fire Grand Dame Video
2007 Boarding Gate Sandra
2007 Go Go Tales Monroe
2007 The Last Mistress Vellini
2007 The Mother of Tears Sarah Mandy
2008 On War Uma
2009 Diamond 13 Calhoune
2011 Horses Madre
2011 Islands Martina
2011 Baciato dalla fortuna Betty
2011 Drifters Beatrice Plana
2012 Dracula 3D Lucy Kisslinger
2012 Do Not Disturb Monica
2012 Firmeza Asia Short film
2013 The Voice Thief Naya Short film
2013 Obsessive Rhythms Margo
2014 Shongram Sarah
2014 Misunderstood Director and writer
2017 The Executrix Isidora

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Sogni e bisogni Gloria Episode: "Il ritorno di Guerriero"
2000 Les Misérables Éponine Thénardier TV miniseries
2004 Milady Sally La Chèvre TV film
2011 Sangue caldo Anna Rosi Episodes: "1.1", "1.2"
2014 Rodolfo Valentino – La leggenda Natacha Rambova Episode: "1.2"
2016 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Herself Season 8, Episode 10: "Rome"
2016 Ballando con le stelle Contestant Series 11

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2008–2009 Mirror's Edge Faith Connors Dubbed in the Italian version; Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Microsoft Windows version

Music videos

Discography

Album Released
Asia Argento (1 Disco Sux / 2 U Just Can't Stop the Rock / 3 Sad Core)2008
Total Entropy2013

References

  1. ↑ "Asia". Dizionario italiano multimediale e multilingue d'Ortografia e di Pronunzia [DOP] (in Italian).
  2. 1 2 "Asia Argento Biography (1975–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  3. ↑ Enrico Lancia. I premi del cinema. Gremese Editore, 1998. ISBN 88-7742-221-1.
  4. ↑ Nyren, Erin (August 20, 2018). "Asia Argento Settled With Sexual Assault Accuser Last Year (Report)". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Severson, Kim (August 19, 2018). "Asia Argento, Who Accused Weinstein, Made Deal With Her Own Accuser". The New York Times. New York City: New York Times Company. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Mumford, Gwilym; Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (21 August 2018). "Asia Argento denies sexual assault of 17-year-old actor". The Guardian. London, England: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  7. ↑ Noh, Jean (5 October 2014). "Asia Argento discusses her father". Screen Daily. London, England: Media Business Insight. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "'E COSI' LA MIA PICCOLA DIVENTO' ARIA ARGENTO ... '". La Repubblica. Rome, Italy: GEDI Gruppo Editorial. 10 December 1997. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 Rose, Steve (8 July 2005). "Wild Child". The Guardian. London, England: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 Ryder, Caroline (8 August 2007). "Asia Argento". Swindle. Los Angeles, California: Shepard Fairey's Studio Number-One. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  11. 1 2 Labruce, Bruce (2001). "Interview with Asia Argento". Index Magazine. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
  12. 1 2 Daniel Robert Epstein. Interview with Asia Argento. SuicideGirls.com. 7 March 2006.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Dangerous Beauty". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved on 16 February 2008.
  14. 1 2 Joan Dupont. "Asia Argento at Cannes: A modern heroine bares all – almost". International Herald Tribune. 21 May 2007.
  15. ↑ Horror-Movies.ca, Asia Argento, Horrific Filmography. Archived 20 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 16 February 2008.
  16. ↑ Hawker, Philippa (2014-09-16). "Asia Argento's poignant exploration of childhood to screen at Italian Film Festival". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  17. ↑ KJB (2002-08-07). "Asia Argento Talks xXx". IGN. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  18. ↑ "jt leroy - writing". www.JTLeroy.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  19. ↑ "Asia Argento In Miss Sixty Ad Campaign". Denimology.com. 4 March 2008.
  20. ↑ "Hondo Maclean biography". BBC. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  21. ↑ Kristin Hohenade. "Therapy for Paralysis: Controversial Film". New York Times. 28 January 2007
  22. ↑ " Peut-on jouer Barbey ? ", Anne-Elisabeth Blateau, in Carré d'art : Byron, Barbey d'Aurevilly, Dali, Hallier, Jean-Pierre Thiollet, Anagramme Editions, 2008, p. 143-149. ISBN 978-2-35035-189-6
  23. ↑ "BLITZ: Legendary Tiger Man: Femina nas Lojas em Setembro". Archived from the original on 29 May 2009.
  24. ↑ "Total Entropy". Discogs.
  25. ↑ Wright, Danielle (2 April 2014). "Asia Argento brings her star appeal to the movie "Shongram"". Fan Share. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  26. ↑ "Anupam Kher to act with Asia Argento in 'Shongram'". Cinema Hour. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  27. ↑ "2014 Official Selection". Cannes. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  28. ↑ Nigel M. Smith (26 May 2014). "Cannes: Asia Argento on Saying Goodbye to Crap and No Longer Feeling 'Misunderstood'". IndieWire. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  29. ↑ Alan Jones. "Biography". Archived 28 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine. OdetoAzia.com. September 2002.
  30. ↑ "Anthony Bourdain shows off romance with Italian star Asia Argento". FoxNews.com. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  31. ↑ Wong, Brittany (17 May 2017). "Anthony Bourdain And Girlfriend Asia Argento Make It Instagram Official". HuffPost. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  32. ↑ "Inside Anthony Bourdain and Asia Argento's Romantic Relationship". Us Weekly. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  33. ↑ "Le chef américain Anthony Bourdain est décédé, selon son employeur CNN" (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  34. ↑ Farrow, Ronan (October 10, 2017). "From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein's Accusers Tell Their Stories". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  35. ↑ Shanahan, Mark (14 April 2018). "Actress Asia Argento speaks at Harvard about Weinstein backlash". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  36. ↑ Riley-Smith, Ben (21 October 2017). "Italian actress who accused Harvey Weinstein of rape leaves country over hostile reaction". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  37. ↑ Silva, Daniela (21 May 2018). "Asia Argento delivers searing speech calling Cannes festival Weinstein's 'hunting ground'". NBC News. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  38. ↑ Arkin, Daniel (22 August 2018). "Photo, text messages appear to contradict Asia Argento's denial of relationship". NBC News. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  39. ↑ Melas, Chloe (September 5, 2018). "Asia Argento's attorney says 17-year-old sexually 'attacked' her". CNN. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  40. ↑ Slingerland, Calum (August 27, 2018). "Asia Argento Dropped from 'X Factor Italy' After Sexual Misconduct Allegations". Exclaim! Media. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  41. ↑ "The Museum of Arts and Design". Madmuseum.org. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  42. ↑ "Argento: Il Cinema Nel Sangue". Museum of Arts and Design. Museum of Arts and Design. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  43. ↑ Dollar, Steve. "Importing Cinema of Great Import". Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  44. ↑ Kasman, Daniel (3 August 2015). "The Design and Architecture of Terror: Dario Argento's "Deep Red"". Notebook. MUBI. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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