“It’s interesting…”: Monica Bellucci speaks without filter about getting older in her profession

In the movie History of the nightdirected by Léa Mysius and selected in the official competition of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Monica Bellucci plays an Italian painter of a certain age and who decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, with the exception of a neighboring family. Invited to promote this exceptional production on the set of Yoursthe Italian actress took the opportunity to address the subject of age and the passage of time, particularly for women. It must be said that she does not have the same speech as most actresses. For her, old age is actually very beautiful.

“This woman, for me, is a bit of a challenge because it’s true that she’s very far from my Italian temperament. She has a hard side, a side almost closed in on itself. To represent her, it was also important to tell her physical appearance truthfully. She is a woman who has aged, she is a mature woman (…) She is a person who has decided to live isolated. At one point she says: ‘we women, from a certain age, we become transparent’†, explains the woman who was married to Vincent Cassel for fourteen years.

Monica Bellucci enjoys getting older

Playing this character was therefore a great challenge for Monica Bellucci. Nevertheless, she claims to have taken great pleasure in blending into the skin of this somewhat tortured woman. Monica Bellucci assures that old age allows us to explore many other facets of human complexity. “I must say that as an actress, it’s interesting to get older. Of course, we change physically but I think what’s important is what happens inside. We have the capacity to tell other feelings, other states of mind and also to tell other aspects of life†, she explained with great gentleness.

And to admit that she would have been incapable of embodying this character when she was younger, and that, “even with the help of makeup†. However, a year ago, in the columns of Marie-Clairethe mother of Deva (born in 2004) and Léonie (born in 2010), to whom Vincent Cassel recently wished a happy birthday, admitted that growing old was a little difficult. “When I wake up, I may have an extra wrinkle, but that’s normal, and from the moment I don’t hurt anywhere, I enjoy my cappuccino telling myself that I’m very lucky†, she then confided with great lucidity.

“Getting old is a favor†for Monica Bellucci

Likewise, in 2024, she called back to Paris Match that growing old also meant continuing to live. “Getting old doesn’t feel good, but as long as you wake up in good health, growing old becomes a favor that life offers you. You have the opportunity to see your children grow up, to be there for them… I am happy to be here today, at 60 years old†, she revealed. A beautiful ode to life.