Isabella Rossellini on ‘Conclave’ and How She Almost Didn’t Get ‘Death Becomes Her’ Role Because the Studio ‘Wanted Someone More Famous, More Established’
Despite a career with varying celebrated roles, Isabella Rossellini has never received an Academy Award nomination. This year, fans and critics alike are hoping that changes with her latest film, “Conclave.”
At the Middleburg Film Festival, the iconic actress graced the grounds of the Salamander Resort to promote “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. Interviewed there for the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Rossellini gave astounding insights into her iconic career, discussed her latest role, and reflected on the intricate dance between artistic expression and the commercial pressures that define the film industry. Listen below.
More from Variety
In “Conclave,” Rossellini plays Sister Agnes, a nun who subtly navigates the power dynamics within the Catholic Church while selecting a new Pope. The role allowed Rossellini to embody subservience and authority through a reserved yet respectful demeanor. She described infusing Sister Agnes with “authority through silence and modesty,” capturing the tension between reverence and influence many women experience within patriarchal institutions.
Rossellini shows warmth and affection in her previous roles, particularly in “Blue Velvet” and “Death Becomes Her” — films that have cemented her status as an icon of beauty and complexity. She humorously recalled her initial uncertainty about landing the role of Lisle von Rhuman in Robert Zemeckis’ horror-comedy “Death Becomes Her,” a mysterious woman who guards the secret to eternal youth. “I remember reading the script,” Rossellini reflects to Variety, “I had a big modeling career and a contract with a cosmetic company at the time that had anti-aging creams. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m the perfect person.’”
When she auditioned, however, Zemeckis initially expressed doubts, telling Rossellini the studio “wanted someone more famous, more established.” It’s hard to imagine thinking that the daughter of legendary filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and celebrated actress Ingrid Bergman wasn’t “established” enough.
Rossellini credits her father’s dedication to neorealism with shaping her approach to storytelling. “He believed in honesty and urgency in storytelling,” she said, reminiscing about her father’s pioneering works. Her mother’s versatility as an actress also inspired her to seek roles that push boundaries and challenge audiences.
Her passion for originality found kindred spirits in directors like David Lynch, who directed her in “Blue Velvet.” Lynch connects with her father’s legacy, having once been influenced by the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, a film school her father helped establish.
Rossellini sees the challenges contemporary filmmakers face, especially in securing financing while staying true to their artistic vision. She recalled stories of unproduced scripts and the financial pressures that can stifle creativity. “It’s a balancing act,” she says, stressing the importance of commercial success in sustaining the industry while advocating for artistic freedom.
In addition to her career reflections, Rossellini unprompted discusses the importance of personal and professional relationships with notable auteurs like Lynch and Martin Scorsese, to whom she was once married. She cites her parents’ relationship as the inspiration for that mindset, as they remained friends even after they divorced.
As our time concluded, one wonders what someone with a familial legacy like Rossellini thinks about the future of cinema.
“That’s a big question,” she said with a laugh. “I remember conversations around the table with directors—Fellini, Pasolini, my father — all trying to find money and wondering how to make their films. And I still hear that question today. Cinema is about 110 years old, so I think that’s just the way it is for artists. Thank God there are commercial films that mix art and entertainment—they finance the industry and support voices like David Lynch’s. These two souls of the industry mix, and that’s what keeps art alive.”
Life is complex. So is cinema.
This episode also features Academy Award nominee June Squibb, who dishes with Jenelle Riley about her action-comedy “Thelma.”
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
