Cicciolina Interview

With some "girl on girl live action" taking place 9 feet away from her and all the erotic products one can imagine (and the ones no one can ever imagine) on display in the building, Cicciolina, former adult movie star, former Italian senator and actual writer, still gathers most of the visitor's attention.

As she sits relaxed on a couch, with people asking for her autograph and taking photos of her, she looks as any former xxx-star would look in her 50s: blond hair, a lot of make-up, some huge breasts and a trashy unrevealing long grass-colored dress. We stand in line for the soon to start interview, while all around us, a curious crowd, is waiting for a handshake and a smile from Cicciolina.

As the interview started, I grew aware of the former diva's irony and cut-to-the-chase way of dealing with certain issues.

Softpedia: How many erotic conventions do you attend each year?
Cicciolina: There certainly are many, but I never considered counting them. I don't attend just erotic events, I also do TV shows, TV interviews. Too many things to take the time and count them.

Softpedia: As you have attended so many erotic fairs and adult industry conventions, could you tell us what are the things that differ from one to another?
Cicciolina: I don't think there are many or important things to be different. I mean, every erotic event like this has the representatives and the officials stands of some companies involved in the adult industry, some live shows, some sexy hostesses and some adult movie stars. There is dancing going on, there are discounts and the opportunity to meet the stars. Fact is - everybody is trying to sell something, to promote a certain product. You know… The things that change would be the people involved, the companies... not much when you come to think about it.

Softpedia: Are you by any chance here to sell, I mean promote any particular thing?
Cicciolina: Well, you bet I am. I am here to promote my biography. It's my own story told in my own words about all my life. Since being a child in Hungary up to becoming an Italian Senator. It has color pictures, 190 pages and cost $ 100.

Softpedia: You just mentioned the Italian Parliament adventure. How was it?
Cicciolina: Fine.

Softpedia: Would you mind telling us more about how you entered in politics?
Cicciolina: I was on the list of Marco Panella's party, people voted for me... and that's it. I became a member of the Italian Parliament.

Softpedia: How do you feel about all the sexy items for the ladies? Like all these very high-heeled platform shoes?
Cicciolina: There are many aspects connected to the way a woman dresses and thinks and behaves that are above the male understanding. That's it.

Softpedia: You stopped making adult movies some time ago...
Cicciolina: Yes, long time ago. I last starred in such a movie back in 1989.

Softpedia: But, after that moment, did you ever think about making a come back? Did anyone try tempting you back into the adult field?
Cicciolina: No, that was over in 1989 and no one and nothing could make me change my mind.

Softpedia: Do you think pornography can be art?
Cicciolina: Why not? There are some artists who use porn as art.

Softpedia: Could you trace a line between porn and art? What is the difference, where does porn end and art start?
Cicciolina: Let's talk on this example. There is an image of someone sucking a banana. It is, undoubtedly an erotic image. But when multiplied in thousands of posters and prints and when used in a commercial, it suddenly becomes not at all pornographic and widely acceptable. I mean, people would look at it and not feel offended at all.

Softpedia: How do you feel about some new art house movies that use explicit sexual images and are generally accepted as art? I mean, let's say Bertolucci's latest movie – "Dreamers".
Cicciolina: Oh, come on. There's nothing new about this usage of porn. There were some directors that used the collage technique and some of the parts of their movies were 100% porn. Yet the movie was art, wasn't it?

Softpedia: One final question, about the book you wrote. It's an auto-biography. What is the message you wish to send the world?
Cicciolina: Well, my book tells my story. The way I only know it. I think the story is fascinating enough to be the message. It's like that.

Softpedia: Thank you very much and good luck with the book sales.


Photo: Tudor Raiciu