Rebecca Antonaci, a young Italian actress, recently made her big screen debut in the film “Finally Dawn” directed by Saverio Constanzo. This debut was certainly a memorable one, as Antonaci received compliments comparing her to the iconic Italian actress Giulietta Masina, best known for her work in Federico Fellini films. Costanzo himself cast Antonaci after being reminded of Masina by her performance.
The film is set in the mid-1950s, during the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecitta studio. Antonaci plays the role of Mimosa, a timid Italian teenager who is unexpectedly hired as an extra on a swords and sandals epic being filmed at Cinecitta. Mimosa finds herself caught up in a coming-of-age adventure set over one chaotic, Fellini-esque night, alongside Hollywood star Lily James, heartthrob Joe Keery, and the kind driver-meets-fixer played by Willem Dafoe. Antonaci reflects on the magical experience of filming, noting that the retro atmosphere created by the film’s characters and sets made it easy for her to step into the role of Mimosa.
Antonaci relates to Mimosa’s initial star-struck awe at being surrounded by icons, as her own experience on set was similar. However, she emphasizes the kindness and generosity of the cast, who helped her learn from their professional approach. Antonaci’s passion for acting began in childhood, drawn to the power of becoming a character and telling stories. She landed her first professional role at a young age in the short film “The Dark Side,” which was a thriller with action and drama. Since then, she has appeared in other short films and episodes of TV series such as “Don Matteo” and “Light of Your Eyes.” However, “Finally Dawn” marks her biggest role to date and has solidified her love for the world of cinema.
While Antonaci’s main focus is acting, she is also passionate about music and has released her first album titled “Morfina,” featuring her own self-written songs. She describes music as therapy and explains how songwriting has helped her explore her inner emotions, which has ultimately benefited her acting career. Though there were no opportunities for her to sing in “Finally Dawn,” she hopes that future projects will allow her to combine her love for music with acting.
Through her role in “Finally Dawn,” Antonaci had the opportunity to attend the Venice Film Festival for the first time, further solidifying her path in the film industry. This experience has opened her eyes to the potential of turning her passion into a vocation. Antonaci realizes that her love for being on set and playing characters can become a fulfilling career. With her talent for both acting and songwriting, she is eager to take on new challenges and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
