Italian stories resonate in China

This transformation extended to understanding controversial character choices, including Lenu's marital departure. "Initially, reading as myself, I felt critical of her decisions," Rohrwacher recalls. "However, once I truly inhabited her perspective, I had to suspend judgment. Living as a character reveals how personal truths can obscure our own missteps.

"This transformation not only deepened my understanding of Lenu, but also prompted self-reflection on my own preconceptions as Alba," she adds.

The actress, who won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her performance in the movie Hungry Hearts, approaches her craft with measured introspection. "I avoid defining myself through success or accolades," she says. "It's like crossing a turbulent stream — you must focus on the next stable stone. Looking too far ahead or behind risks losing balance. The key is identifying the immediate next step that will support your journey forward."

Both artists see the series as part of a larger transformation in Italian cinema's portrayal of women. "Traditional Italian cinema often portrayed women as mere appendages to male narratives," Rohrwacher says. "Through collaborative efforts of male and female directors, we're creating more complex, independent female characters with their own distinct qualities.

"Cinema uniquely bridges cultural divides," she concludes. "My Brilliant Friend exemplifies how film can forge connections across distant cultures, creating miracles of understanding and serving as a conduit for intellectual exchange between civilizations."