Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
People across the globe were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of actress Diane Keaton on Oct. 11. Keaton had a way of connecting with audiences of every walk of life and Italians were among her biggest fans.
Keaton captivated Italian audiences with her lively personality and immense talent, but she became even more popular when she played Sister Mary in Paolo Sorrentino’s 2016 HBO series, “The Young Pope.” In the show, Sister Mary is a hip American nun who raised the orphaned Lenny Belardo, aka Pope Pius XIII, played by Jude Law.
Sorrentino spoke to Keaton’s dramatic range in an interview with Indiewire, noting that it was a side “we’ve never seen from her before, having done more comedy work.” Although it was a dramatic role, Keaton lent her natural sense of humor to the character for some lighthearted moments.
Keaton’s relationship with Italy’s culture extended beyond the screen. When she passed away, the iconic Castel Sant’Angelo paid tribute by sharing a photo on its official Instagram account of her posing on the bridge leading to the historic monument.
In 2018, Keaton was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious David di Donatello awards. Reflecting on her storied career, Keaton fondly recalled her connection with Al Pacino, whom she met during the filming of “The Godfather.” She described him as “one of the greatest and most inspiring actors” she’d ever worked with.
Keaton enchanted the audience by singing “Three Coins in a Fountain,” the theme song of the classic film, her sweet and melancholic voice leaving a lasting impression.
