In this exclusive interview with ArteCultura Magazine, Giuditta Simi remembers her father Carlo, the architect and set designer who transformed the sets of Sergio Leone's westerns into true works of art. And in her book, An architect lent to the cinema, Giuditta draws an intimate portrait of a man who, with passion and dedication, shaped Italian cinema.
Arte Cultura Magazine
By Titti Giuliani Foti
November 4, 2024
"It's hard to see my father, who has contributed so much to the world of cinema, especially with his collaborations with Sergio Leone in western films, not receiving the recognition he deserves. He created sets that defined an entire genre and are still iconic today. For example, in Andalusia, in Tabernas, there are still western villages built by him for films such as For a Few Dollars More and Once Upon a Time in the West. The famous house of Claudia Cardinale in Once Upon a Time in the West is part of what is now a real mini-Hollywood, which can still be visited. Despite everything, few in Italy know his work, while abroad he is more appreciated. For me to see this contrast is painful, but I hope that his figure will be rediscovered". A few words and clear: the truth from the direct voice of Giuditta Simi, daughter of this great of Italian cinema such as the architect Carlo Simi, right-hand man of a true legend like Sergio Leone. And for the first time he speaks to a journalist about the great forgotten set designer of Italian cinema.
[Carlo Simi in his studio]
Giuditta, let's talk about your father's collaborations with Sergio Leone. How important were those projects to him?
"The collaborations with Sergio Leone have been fundamental. My father not only designed the sets, but often built real worlds. For films such as The Good, the Bad and Once Upon a Time in the West, he did not limit himself to designing spaces: he made them come alive, creating atmospheres that have marked the imagination of generations of viewers. He often told me how stimulating it was to work with Leone, because there was a mutual respect and a creative understanding that was reflected on the big screen. Those films would not have been the same without his sets, yet few people know it".
[Carlo Simi with
Sergio Leone, a collaboration that has made the history of western cinema.]
"Dad was obsessed with detail. Every element on set, even the smallest, had to make sense, a meaning that would enrich the narrative. When creating a set design, he didn't just think about the aesthetic aspect, but about the environment like a real character in the film. In Once Upon a Time in the West, for example, he built that saloon and Claudia Cardinale's house with such precision that it seemed to really be in that world. His approach was almost artisanal, and I think that's what sets his work apart: his ability to make the audience feel immersed in a real place, not a fictitious space."
[Carlo Simi on the set of Sergio Leone's film "The Beautiful, the Bad and the Ugly"]
You wrote a book about your father, right? Can you tell us about it?
“Yes, I wrote a book called ‘An architect lent to the cinema’, where I tell the story of my father’s life and career. The title reflects his training: he was an architect by profession, yet he brought that skill and sense of space directly into cinema, transforming sets into works of art. In the book, I tried to tell not only his career, but also the man behind his art, because my father was a person of great humility and dedication. I wanted people to know his human side as well as his extraordinary talent.”
How does your artistic legacy live on today?
“Even though his name isn’t as well-known as he should be, his legacy is everywhere. Filmmakers and set designers from all over the world look to his work as a source of inspiration. I think the fact that in Spain, in Tabernas, there are still western villages built by him today, such as mini-Hollywood, is a sign of how influential he was. In addition, there are museums dedicated to his work, and the Almeria Western Film Festival is held every year, where western cinema is celebrated, and his contribution is often remembered. This year the festival was held from 9 to 14 October, and it was an ongoing tribute to the work of artists like my father.”
Do you think there is still hope that your work will be recognized as it deserves?
“I hope so. It would be nice to see a rediscovery of his work, perhaps through a retrospective or an exhibition that tells the story of his contribution to cinema. I think that over time there will be a return of interest in those years and in those figures who, like my father, gave shape to worlds that today we consider classic. There has never been a real celebration of his work, and I think the time has come to do it. It is a heritage that belongs not only to my family, but to all film lovers”.
Your son, Lorenzo, also works in cinema, right?
“Yes, my son Lorenzo, who is now 28 years old, also works in the world of cinema, but in production. He has always had a great passion for this world, I think I passed it on to him, and obviously the figure of my father had a great impact on him. It’s nice to see that the family tradition continues, even if in a different field than my grandfather’s. I’m sure Dad would have been proud to see his nephew committed to making his contribution to this world he loved so much.”
Is there anything you would like the world to remember about Carlo Simi?
“I would like the world to remember his passion. Dad put all of himself into every project, never settling for the minimum. He was a perfectionist, but also a man of great humility, who preferred his sets to speak for him. That dedication, that desire to create something unforgettable, is what made him unique. Italian cinema owes him a lot, and I would like the new generations to discover him and learn to appreciate him for what he left behind”.
“Dad put all of himself into every project, never settling for the minimum. He was a perfectionist, but also a man of great humility, who preferred his sets to speak for him”
[Carlo Simi with
his daughter Giuditta]
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