We've all lost something that we'd love to get back.
(That's why it's a recurring question on our Life / Style features.)
For some, it's a treasured family heirloom; for others, a favourite garment of clothing or piece of jewellery.
For Sebastiano Pigazzi? A pacifier.
"I lost [it] when I was four or five, which I’ve now realised is very old to still be carrying around your pacifier," says Pigazzi. "I don’t know why that memory has stuck. It must be because of some symbolic and sentimental attachment I had to it... I never got another pacifier after that."
Too old he might have been, but man does that does final sentence carry a gut punch.
You'll find out plenty more about Pigazzi in the below interview, including his childhood love of poetry, his two acting inspirations and his fashion aspirations.
Enjoy.
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
We Are Who We Are is coming out on HBO soon and I am so excited to see the final product. So much hard work went into it, and I think it’s going to be something the whole cast and crew will be really proud of.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I mean, working with Luca Guadagnino is a lifetime accomplishment. I’m still in shock that I got to work with one of my favourite directors so early on in my career. I am beyond grateful for the risk he took in casting a newcomer like me, and I hope he is proud of the final product.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
So far I have no regrets. If I were to change anything now, I might not have gotten to be a part of WAWWA or work with Luca. I try to just look forward.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
Everything. Work with the best directors and actors. Work in different countries. Try to direct and write. I want to try as many things as possible. I try not to put any limitations on myself because I think that only hinders the artistic process. I want to try it all and see where it leads…
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
Marcello Mastroianni and Orson Welles.
Marcello is the quintessential actor in my view. He worked his entire career, making two pictures a year while also doing theatre. He was elegant, charismatic but at the same time was never afraid to take a risk.
Roger Ebert characterised him best when he said of Marcello, “The most complete of movie actors, his face never seeming composed for the screen but acting simply as a window for his words.”
Orson, on the other hand, was an artist in all facets. He was a director, writer, actor, producer, costume designer. I’ve been so fascinated by him and his story.
In an interview in 1960 he said “I have always been more interested in experiment, than in accomplishment.” In my opinion, that’s the main difference between someone who works in a creative field and most other professions. Or it should be, at least in my view.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
I used to write a lot of poetry. Then at the ripe old age of nine I became too cynical, life began to take its toll, and the poems became too dark. My grandmother, who was my sole audience was becoming too worried for me, so I stopped.
Maybe one day I’ll pick up the pen again.
Style
What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
Right now what I’m most excited about is a coat I designed and had made. It’s the very early starts of creating my own fashion and it’s a passion of mine. Hopefully I’ll be able to continue this trend and keep personalizing my style.
Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?
My wallet. I got it at this little artisanal leather shop in Rome. It isn’t a name brand or anything flashy but it’s made handmade in Rome by a master artisan and it has my initials on it so it feels even more unique .
My dad has been getting the same wallet from them for the past thirty years and he’s only had to buy two during that time, so they’re also durable.
What items do you take on holiday and why?
The least amount possible. Traveling light is one of the most underrated pleasures in life. A good book, T shirts (linen if it’s the summer) and shorts. Maybe a pair of Moccasins and sneakers.
Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?
The only thing that comes to mind is a pacifier I lost when I was four or five, which I’ve now realised is very old to still be carrying around your pacifier. But regardless, it fell out of my hand in the space between the elevator and the ground.
I don’t know why that memory has stuck. It must be because of some symbolic and sentimental attachment I had to it. I remember crying for days.
I never got another pacifier after that.
What’s next on your shopping list?
Maybe sunglasses. It’s hard to find a pair that suit me well. I had a pair of Ray-bans that I loved but they were stolen, so now I‘m searching for a new pair.
What would you buy if money was no object?
That’s tough. I think I’d buy a movie theatre. I’d love to have a place where I could screen my theatre old movies or even movies I’ve never seen before and then invite some of the people who made them.
It probably wouldn’t be the smartest investment by any means, but even if it’s just me in there alone on most nights, I’d still enjoy it.
Or a beachfront villa in Capri. I wouldn’t say no to that either.
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