Lyda Borelli

Lyda Borelli was an Italian actress of cinema and theatre. She was born on 22 March 1887 in Genoa, Italy, to stage actors Napoleone Borelli and Cesira Banti Borelli. She had an older sister, Alda Borelli, who also became an actress. Borelli made her stage debut in 1902, and by the age of 18 she was already receiving lead roles. She became a favorite actress of Gabriele D'Annunzio, starring in his La Figlia di Jorio in 1904. D'Annunzio dedicated his books Il ferro and Più che l'amore to her. By 1908, Borelli was considered a fashion icon; the terms Borellismo and Borelleggiare were coined to describe how women tried to pose, dress, and move like her. In 1913, she made her film debut in Ma l'amor mio non muore, directed by Mario Caserini, who was considered the best Italian silent film director. She starred opposite Mario Bonnard. Between 1913 and 1918, she made 14 films and appeared in 2 documentaries. She often portrayed vamps who end up committing suicide via poison. Her acting style involved excessive gestures, painful expressions, and languid gazes. Antonio Gramsci, a theatre reviewer, criticized her for representing a heightened form of sensuality, "a part of a primordial and prehistoric humanity" that had cast a spell on the audience. Novelist Lucio D'Ambra wrote about her in 1937, comparing her influence to that of Greta Garbo, and noting that young Italian women imitated her gestures and style. In 1918, at the height of her career, Borelli retired and married Vittorio Cini, Count of Monselice. They had four children together: Giorgio, Mynna, and twins Ylda and Yana. Vittorio Cini had a long relationship with the Italian Fascist party, joining in 1926, and held influential positions in government and industry. In early 1943, he was named to the Ministry of Communication, but soon resigned, publicly criticizing the dire state of the national situation. He joined the plotting against Mussolini, and with the Nazi occupation of Northern Italy, he was arrested by the SS and sent to the Dachau concentration camp. Transferred to a hospital, his son Giorgio was able to get him released by bribing officials with diamonds and jewellery. Giorgio also lobbied successfully against the elder Cini's legal exclusion from political activities, arguing that his final break with Mussolini mitigated his long years of collaboration. Giorgio died in a plane crash near Cannes on 31 August 1949. After his death, Vittorio established the Cini Foundation in his memory. Lyda Borelli died on 2 June 1959 and was buried at Ferrara Charterhouse alongside her son. Her husband and one of her daughters were later buried with her. She had red hair and brown eyes, with a slim build. She was straight and had real, natural breasts. Her career spanned 57 years, from 1902 to 1959. She died at age 72.