You never quite know where Isabella Rossellini might pop up next.
It almost felt like a silent-film-star performance, the 72-year-old icon tellsVogueover breakfast.
Vogue: What does it take to lure an actress of your stature into a project these days?
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Isabella Rossellini:Edward Berger simply sent the script to my agentwhich I read and immediately loved.
Is it common to speak to the other actors in negotiations for a project when youre considering a role?
Like, Ill do it if you do it?
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features
But you’re able to really only do it with friends, otherwise it feels like an indiscretion.
I made a movie with Stanley years ago [1996sBig Night], and weve been friends ever since.
How did you find your take on her?
Rossellini and Berger on the set ofConclave
I have a very silent roleSister Agnes is almost like a shadow.
Shes present all the time, even when you cant see or hear her.
Thankfully, I am very familiar with silent films because this almost felt like a silent-film-star performance.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features
What did Edward communicate to you about what he wanted out of your performance?
Edward was very clear about his intentions.
He wanted the scenes with my character to be shot in a very claustrophobic manner.
Rossellini inDeath Becomes Her(1992)
The red and blue dots never mix because theres such a distinct separation between sexes.
Without doubt there wouldnt be faith.
Many may claim to have the answers, but there are limits.
Rossellini and David Lynch on the set ofBlue Velvet
I thought the film was a beautiful illustration of that point.
I was familiar with this world because Im from Rome and I went to nun school.
Youve said in previous interviews that you grew up with a liberal Catholic education.
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
My family wasnt particularly religious except for my grandmotheralthough she didnt even go to church!
In Rome there are the conservative and liberal sectors: There are corrupt priests and ones who are not.
Every Italian newspaper reports on murder, politics, international headlines, and what the pope said.
Did you have those types of conversations on set?
Yes, we did, but it really was also quite a coincidence.
The debates in the church and the film are the same debates that were having all over the world.
How do you define gender?
What is the role of women?
Is tradition more important than emancipation?
All these debates exist beyond the election.
Spoiler alert for anyone who hasnt seenConclave, but I wanted to discuss the ending.
What was your interpretation of the ending?
One of the biggest debates in our culture today is gender.
I spoke to a doctor who said this happens quite often and they generally perform surgery based on functionality.
But Cardinal Benitez didnt know and lived his entire life in doubt.
There are layers to our humanity, and thats the power of this film.
Its very spiritual in that way.
Have you consciously tried to explore themes related to gender and sexuality in your work?
I really enjoyed theGreen Pornoseries that you made for the Sundance Channel a few years ago.
Ive always asked questions but never quite to the degree thatConclavedoes.
Thats partially why I loved makingGreen Porno.
I made it because I was amused at all of this sexuality that exists in nature.
It was an intellectual exercise where I could ask questions and learn things Id never thought about before.
Do you have a personal favorite episode?
I really love the one about dogs and the one about dolphins.
Isnt it fascinating that the scope of the maternal instinct can range from the hamster to the spider?
You got your MA in animal behavior from Hunter College in 2019.
Do you think you wouldve worked with animals if you hadnt been an actor or model?
How did you end up running a farm in Long Island?
About 12 years ago, a neighbor was developing it but got discouraged.
She said, Why dont you buy it?
Youre a tree hugger!
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Everybody says, You chose such a quiet life not at all!
She has an operation calledEarly Girl Farmwithin theMama Farmproperty where she grows her vegetables.
I curated the collection of animals and confirm they eat every day.
Theres also vaccinations, fences coming down, weathering storms.
So its not all hikes and fresh produce?
Theres plenty of that as well.
When Im there were doing everything from gardening to cooking lessons to knitting.
But its a lot of work and constant problems.
I still have a small apartment in New York that I visit just to take a breather sometimes.
Do you miss living in the city at all?
Im close enough that I can hop on a train if I ever feel the draw.
But once you move out of the city, you sorta lose touch with whats going on.
I dont know what exhibits or shows are happening anymore.
Do you plan on seeing theDeath Becomes Hermusical coming to Broadway?
They asked me to do it as my character.
Ive heard the show is quite good.
I read a lot of positive reviews when it played in Chicago earlier this year.
I had done a few studio films before, butDeath Becomes Herwas on a whole other level.
When it came out, I sensed a bit of disappointment about the way it was received.
And yet now its developed such a strong cult following.
Every Halloween, I always see people dressed up as myBlue Velvetcharacter.
But suddenly, in the last few years, Ive seen moreDeath Becomes Hercostumes.
It really seems like younger generations have embraced that film.
I got fired by my agents because of that film.
I didBlue Velvetbecause I ran into David Lynch at a restaurant.
And it never felt like you were making anything particularly controversial?
He just knew I was making a film with David Lynch about a mystery in a small town.
What was his reasoning for firing you?
He said: We do not represent porno actors.
Did you feel like the film had a negative impact on your career?
I didnt have an agent for quite a long time.
Tom was producing a film with Norman Mailer calledTough Guys Dont Danceand offered me a leading role.
This was at a time when I couldnt get an agent and felt sorta ousted from Hollywood.
Little by little, I managed to crawl my way back to a career.
People seemed upset at the suggestion that these horrific things could be happening right under your nose in suburbia.
Bear in mind they hadnt even seen it!
Youve worked with everyone from auteurs like Peter Weir and Denis Villeneuve to first-time filmmakers likeJulio Torres.
What do you look for in a collaborator now?
I just look for talent that excites me.
Julio is an incredible new talent, and the way his mind works is so abstract.
I like how it makes me look at the world around me differently.
I still have a fire in my belly to be challenged.
I had to read the ending ofConclavetwo or three times to fully understand it.
But Im also not sure how many more movies I have left in me.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
