Totò Cascio Tells Us About Himself

There are stories that really seem to come out of a novelist’s imagination and those written by life, which is always more unpredictable than any imagined tale. Salvatore Cascio’s story is one of these. Born in Palazzo Adriano in the province of Palermo, at the age of eight he found himself starring in Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, a film that won an Oscar and led little Totò to become the youngest actor to receive such a prestigious award as the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). His talent allowed him to pursue a brilliant career in show business, continuing to work as an actor in television and film. There are stories that really seem to come out of a novelist’s imagination but, instead, are written by life, which is always more unpredictable than any imagined tale. Salvatore Cascio’s story is one of these. Born in Palazzo Adriano in the province of Palermo, at the age of eight he found himself starring in Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, a film that won an Oscar and led little Totò to become the youngest actor to receive such a prestigious award as the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). His talent allowed him to pursue a brilliant career in show business, continuing to work as an actor in television and film. Then, in his early thirties, he learned he had a relentless disease, retinitis pigmentosa with macular edema, a genetic disease that also affects his brother and which progressively lead him to lose his sight. The following years were difficult, having to painfully learn to accept this new reality. Those years led Totò to where he is today, a man of 42, telling his story first in the short film A occhi aperti (with open eyes) and now a beautiful book La gloria e la prova. Il mio Nuovo Cinema Paradiso 2.0 (Glory and hardship. My New Cinema Paradiso 2.0) (written with Giorgio De martino, Baldini and Castoldi Publishers).  

You started at a very young age working in film, where vision is the medium for telling reality. What has this new condition of yours taught you about the conventional way we have of looking at life? 

Now I have realized that life can be seen mostly with the eyes of the heart and the eyes of the brain.

Today you experience a reality explored by other senses. What has changed in your attitude?

The meaning of life has changed. Today, I simply give another meaning to my life and its significance.

A peculiar life, a young star and then a major disease. Somehow always under the spotlight. What would you say to those who do not have your opportunity to speak to the world about their difficulties?

My main message is to not be ashamed to ask for help, because asking for help is not a sign of weakness, on the contrary. It is the highest and noblest form of courage.

Do you find that society is ready to include people who experience different conditions?

Of course, we need to work more and more on the prejudice that persists in some people toward persons with disabilities. I am a great believer in solidarity and people’s hearts, but it is always very important to carry out awareness actions especially regarding mental illness.

The Istituto Cavazza in Bologna was helpful in your rehabilitation?

The Istituto Cavazza, and I say this with all my heart, has been to me essential. I came here with my morale at rock bottom, and I came out a changed man. It’s the reason why I always come back. I consider Cavazza a home and treasured place.

Recognizing and embracing one’s weakness is the first step to becoming strong. How did you do it? When I hit bottom and when I realized that hitting bottom is not the end. At that point, you have in fact two possibilities: you either stay at the bottom of it, in which case it’s over, or you’re ready to start again stronger than before. And I, thank God, made it.

In the movie Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, your character, as an adult, finds himself with a legacy from Alfredo, his projectionist friend played by Philippe Noiret. What has the film given you?

It gave me so much, it is part of my life. It taught me that passion and love in everything you do is fundamental. Passion and love, those are the priorities.

You often use the word awareness. What does it mean to you?

To me, awareness is the adrenaline of life. Once you have awareness, you can no longer give up. Of course, I mean an awareness combined with action.

What projects do you have for the future? In your book you mention a move to Bologna…

I sometimes think about it. Spending so much time in Bologna, I found a modern, accessible, and welcoming city. When people sometimes say to me, “Eh, but you should have known Bologna 20, 30 years ago,” as if to say that it has changed for the worse, I reply, “Guys, you should know Palermo,” and I say this with all the respect and love for a city I adore. And aside from deciding where to live, I have so many dreams, so many projects. I would like to make a film about disability with lightness, without any commiseration. That’s a project that I am working on and that I hope will be carried out.

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