Italian Actress Named Costa Fortuna Godmother

Maria Grazia Cucinotta, an Italian actress with Mediterranean allure, has been chosen to be the Godmother of the Costa Fortuna, Costa Crociere’s new flagship, which will be christened on 22nd November at Genoa Cruise Terminal. In accordance with strict naval tradition, the Godmother will officially name the vessel by breaking a bottle against the hull of Costa Crociere’s newest ship. Maria Grazia Cucinotta will also make a surprise appearance in the spectacular show celebrating the ship, called “Transatlantic Liners. The Art of Navigation in Italy”, produced and directed by Valerio Festi, an artist who has staged outdoor performances all over the world. Maria Grazia Cucinotta, who is a household name internationally, epitomises Italian style and glamour around the world; her radiant personality and typically Mediterranean looks enabled her to embark on a modelling career at the age of just 16. She made her TV debut in 1987, when she played an odalisque in Renzo Arbore’s cult variety programme “Indietro tutta”; this was the prelude to her career in the cinema. After some cameo roles, Maria Grazia Cucinotta was selected for the role of Beatrice in the subtle film “The Postman”, starring Massimo Troisi and Philippe Noiret; it was this performance that gained her international recognition. The film won an Oscar for best original sound track. Following this, Maria Grazia Cucinotta played leading roles in many successful films including “I laureati” in 1995 directed by Leonardo Pieraccioni, “A Brooklyn State of Mind” directed by Frank Rainone, and “Italiani” directed by Maurizio Ponzi nel 1996. After a brief return to television in the 1999 series “L’avvocato Porta”, she was cast for the nineteenth James Bond film, “The World Is Not Enough” directed by Michel Adapted, starring Pierce Brosnan. In 2000 she appeared in Alfonso Arau’s film “Picking Up the Pieces”, with Woody Allen and Sharon Stone. A testimony to Maria Grazia Cucinotta’s sensitivity and attention to the plight of the world’s children is her participation in the making of a short film entitled “I bambini invisibili”, the proceeds from which will go to UNICEF. The beautiful Maria Grazia has just finished shooting four new Italian films: “Mariti in Affitto” by Ilaria Borrelli, “Marcinelle” by Frazzi brothers, “Miracolo a Palermo” by Beppe Cino and “Vaniglia e cioccolato”, based on the book of the same name by Sveva Casati Modigliani, directed by Ciro Ippolito, where she played alongside Joaquin Cortes. She has been married to the businessman Giulio Violati since 1995. The couple have a two-year-old daughter.