Silvia Collatina (born 14 January 1972 in Rome, Lazio, Italy) is an Italian actress who appeared in several movies of the late 1970s and 80s. She is best known for her roles in The Great Alligator, The House by the Cemetery and Murder Rock.
Silvia Collatina | |
|---|---|
 Collatina at Romford Horror Film Festival 2023 | |
| Born | 14 January 1972 Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Known for | The Great Alligator The House by the Cemetery Murder Rock |
Career
editCollatina was introduced to a talent agent, through a family friend who was also a child actress and invited her to a casting when she was 5 years old. She made her debut later that year in 1977 with the documentary of Sergio Spina "Child Psychology", in the episode "I don't want to go to school".[1]
In 1979 she was cast in her first feature film role of Minou in Sergio Martino’s The Great Alligator. In an interview with Cryptic Rock, Collatina revealed that as a child she was a little pest, perfect casting for that role.[2] In another interview she also said that Sergio Martino was a very polite person on set and felt at ease with him on set and are still in touch today.[3]
Collatina was cast in 1981 as the ghost child ‘’Mae Freudstein’’ in Lucio Fulci’s critically acclaimed cult horror The House by the Cemetery. In her interview with Cryptic Rock she revealed Fulci could be sometimes a little rude, but had a great respect for him knowing he was a great director, and she followed strictly his directions. She also revealed that Paolo Malco, Catriona MacColl and Giovanni Frezza were like a big family on set and has seen some of them many times at Horror conventions in the US. She believes that The House by the Cemetery still appeals to people thanks to its fascinating setting such as the pastel colours of the movie, the mystery of her character and the finale.[2]
In 1984 Collatina was cast as Molly in Murderock. Her character was a disabled child who had developed a strong sense of sadism and the macabre. In an interview with Lionel Grenier, Collatina recalled Fulci was happy to be working again with her after the success of The House by the Cemetery and looking forward to do another film together. Collatina originally had concerns about the wheelchair being used and began training using it for testing her capabilities. At first, Fulci wanted to put prosthetic legs on her, to make them look even more bony and sickly, but in the end he opted for Collatinas legs, covered by a blanket.[4] When asked about how her character differed from herself; she described Molly as very spoilt and mean little girl because of her disability, while she is more sweet and friendly even if they share the same taste for the macabre.[3]
During the early to mid-1980s Collatina appeared in many commercials including: Polaroid, Barilla, Eldorado, Bauli, Danone, Plasmon, Nestlé, Bassetti, and Findus.[5]
In 1985, Collatina as a teenager made the decision to leave the industry.[2]
Collatina attended the 2009 Horror Hound Convention which took place in Newark (US). She formed part of the Italian delegation of horror movie actors of the 80s and also took part in the 30th Anniversary cast reunion with House by the Cemetery at the 2011 Horror Hound Convention in Indianapolis (US). Collatina attended the International Fantasy Film Festival in 2012 as a member of the jury for horror short films. She was also a honoured guest at the Paranormal Media Festival in 2014 in Italy (Maenza, Latina).[6]
In 2020, as part of the Blu-Ray and 4K re-release of The House by the Cemetery by Arrow Films her 2011 interview with fellow actor Giovanni Frezza was added as part of the bonus features of its release as "Children of the Night".[7][8]
In 2021, she was a member of the jury for the Italian Horror Fantasy Festival organized by Luigi Pastore.[9][10]
In May 2022, Collatina played the demonic character of Tiziana in the episode “Ultimo Titivillus” – 2nd season of the web series Fantasmagoria created by Byron Rink (Orefilm Production).[11]
In August 2022 Collatina attended the Vespertilio Awards in Rome as a member of the jury.[12] In February 2023 she also attended the Romford Horror Film Festival as special guest together with Giovanni Lombardo Radice.[13][14] In an interview with the festival director Spencer Hawken, Collatina revealed she didn't expect to still be going places and talking about this film 40 years later. She continues to attend horror conventions both in Italy and around the world.[5]
Personal
editCollatina was born in Rome, Lazio, Italy. Her father Alberto Collatina was an acclaimed Jazz musician.[15] She has a personal collection of more than 50 decorative skulls and enjoys visiting grave yards (monumental or local) wherever she goes.[5]
Filmography
edit| † | Productions that have not yet been released. |
Films
edit| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Great Alligator | Sergio Martino | Minou | |
| 1980 | Alice Nel Paese Delle Cartaviglie | Gianni Toti | Alice | |
| 1981 | The House by the Cemetery | Lucio Fulci | Mae Freudstein | |
| 1984 | Murder Rock | Lucio Fulci | Molly | |
| 2014 | Violets Bloom at empty Grave | Chris Milewski | Karen Cook | Voiceover (Short Film) |
| 2022 | Heller's Lane | Jon Alcaide | Linda | Voiceover (Short Film) |
| Il Tempo del Sogno | Claudio Lattanzi | As Herself | ||
| 2024 | The Witches of the Sands † | Tony Mardon | Silvia | |
| Cose Nere † | Francesco Tassara | Clara |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Letti Selvaggi | Luigi Zampa | Daughter | Episode "Young Wife” |
| 1977 | Child Psychology | Sergio Spina | Silvia | Episode "I don't want to go to school” |
| 1981 | George Sand | Giorgio Albertazzi | Ninì | Episode 1.1 |
| 2022 | Fantasmagoria | Byron Rink | Tiziana | Episode 2.2 Ultimo Titivillus (Web Series) |
Interviews
edit| Year | Title | Interviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | I'm an Actress! | Eric Marciano | |
| 2011 | Children of the Night | Art Ettinger | |
| 2012 | The House by the Cemetery Onstage Q&A Cast Reunion | Callum Waddell | 30th Anniversary Reunion |
| Ladies of Italian Horror | Callum Waddell | ||
| 2021 | Rude Horror Podcast | Marcus Rude | (Podcast) |
| 2023 | Romford Horror Festival: Live Audience with Silvia Collatina | Spencer Hawken | Festival Q&A Interview |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Daniele, Andreani (15 August 2021). Intervista all'attrice Silvia Collatina. YouTube. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Interview – Silvia Collatina". Cryptic Rock. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Interview: Silvia Collatina, House by the Cemetery". Gavin Schmitt. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Grenier, Lionel (3 June 2011). "Interview: Silvia Collarina – actrice (La Maison près du cimetière, Murderock)". luciofulci.fr. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ a b c Hawken, Spencer (6 March 2023). Romford Horror 2023 – An Audience With Silvia Collatina. YouTube. Romford Horror Festival. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Sandrin, Chris (8 April 2011). "Event Review: 'Horrorhound Weekend: Indianapolis". Destroy The Brain. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (29 May 2020). "The House by the Cemetery and The New York Ripper will be released on 4K Ultra HD". Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (21 January 2020). "Blu-ray Review: The House by the Cemetery". Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Italian Horror Fantasy Fest, è tempo di premiazioni". Spettacolo SkyTG24. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Italian Horror Fantasy Fest al Cinema Aquila". Cinecittà News. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Fantasmagoria 2 – L'Ultimo Titivillus". Horror d'Elite. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Vespertilio Awards: Il nuovo premio italiano per il cinema horror!". In Genere Cinema. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "Romford Horror Film Festival set to return!". The Harvering Daily. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Hawken, Spencer (28 November 2022). "Silvia Collatina". Romford Horror Film Festival. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Lucini, Gianni (31 October 2021). "Interview – Silvia Collatina". Daily Green. Retrieved 24 August 2023.