Liana Orfei
Acting
Biography
Liana Orfei (San Giovanni in Persiceto, June 6, 1937). Belonging to the famous Orfei circus dynasty, Liana is a multifaceted figure in Italian entertainment, capable of successfully ranging between circus, cinema, theater, and television. Active on the big screen primarily between the 1950s and 70s, she acted in approximately forty films, working with masters of the caliber of Federico Fellini (in the documentary The Clowns), Orson Welles, Mario Monicelli, and Dino Risi. Her versatility led her to perform in highly diverse genres, from commedia all'italiana to Westerns, and even horror and science fiction. In television, her participation in the musical television drama Scaramouche (1965) is well-remembered. She made her debut in the ring at just two years old as a clown (under the name Lacrima). In 1960, together with her brothers Nando and Rinaldo, she founded her own circus characterized by colossal and innovative productions, such as "Circorama" and the "Circus of the Thousand and One Nights"—the latter born from an idea by Fellini with costumes by Oscar winner Danilo Donati. In 1984, to respond to the industry's crisis, she founded the Golden Circus, an international festival that remains a reference point for circus arts today. In the theatrical field, she collaborated with distinguished names such as Eduardo De Filippo and Emma Gramatica, returning to the stage even in more recent years (in 2005 with the musical Se il tempo fosse un gambero). She was also a singer and entrepreneur: in the 1980s, she founded the theme park Divertimondo in Rimini, inspired by the emerging major amusement parks.
Known For
Episodic journey of journalist Marcello who struggles to find his place in the world, torn between the allure of Rome's elite social scene and the stifling domesticity offered by his girlfriend, all the while searching for a way to become a serious writer.
La Dolce Vita
The amorous adventures of Andrea Rossi-Colombotti, an army officer who finds pleasure with beautiful women in life-threatening situations.
Casanova '70
Fellini exposes his great attraction for the clowns and the world of the circus first recalling a childhood experience when the circus arrives nearby his home. Then he joins his crew and travel from Italy to Paris chasing the last greatest European clowns still live in these countries. He also meets Anita Ekberg trying to buy a panther in a circus.
The Clowns
No description available.
Scaramouche
Hans von Arnam travels to a Flemish village to study a strange carousel located in an old windmill that displays famous murderesses and other notorious women from history. Professor Gregorius Wahl, owner of the windmill, warns Hans to stay away from his mysterious daughter Elfi, in order to keep Hans from discovering the horrible secret shared by the Professor and Elfi's Doctor.
Mill of the Stone Women
Three anthological segments about sexcapades and erotic fantasies in middle-class Italy.
Extraconiugale
Two boxing promoters travel via time machine back to the days of Hercules, who must save them from Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde.
Hercules in the Valley of Woe
In this comedy, a guru’s groupie plans to seduce him so she can number him among her many conquests.
The Prophet
An American military aircraft with some female soldiers crash lands in an Italian air base to the delight of the Italian soldiers.
Guardatele ma non toccatele
Five episodes about women drivers during the economic boom.
Le motorizzate
A documentary on the history of Italy's peplum genre.
Kolossal - The Magnificent Macisti
Chronicles the rise and fall of the woman who eventually became known as Queen Nefertiti.
Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile
In 16th century Italy, mercenary Marco is hired by cruel duke Astolfo whose unjust reign is threatened by the notorious outlaw the Red Mask.
Terror of the Red Mask
Léo and Claude, two penniless friends turned con artists, answer matrimonial classified ads to trap women. But one of the friends soon finds his own game turned against him.
Les Combinards
The Tartars and the Vikings maintain a fragile peace in the harsh landscape of the Russian Steppe. When the leader of the Vikings, Oleg, declines to accompany the Tartars on a campaign against the Slavs, there is an explosion of violence. After Oleg kills the Tartar leader and kidnaps his daughter, the dead man's brother, Burandai, retaliates by holding Oleg's wife, Helga, hostage. The stalemate can be resolved only on the battlefield.
The Tartars
Two strongmen set out to hunt down a murderous sea monster. Their ship is wrecked and they end up in the Holy Land where Hercules is assumed to be Samson who is a wanted man. The two team up to survive.
Hercules, Samson & Ulysses
Four penniless friends wich Belong to a small commedy theatre go to taormina a famous Italian beach resort willing to marry Barbara a famous multimillionaire cosmetic firm owner and forget their troubles. After a series of adventures the four youths go back to Rome with four new girlfriends.
Tipi da spiaggia
Three episodes about Italian husbands and their relationships.
Our Husbands
Two devils from Hell are sent to Earth to cause trouble. Belfagor and his faithful sidekick Adramalek must start a war between Rome and Florence in 1478.
The Devil in Love
Two knights, the honorful Riccardo and the sinister Fosco, are rivalling for damsel Zuela.