Rome - A candid and abashed Nicole Kidman spoke of her artistic and intimate life, her views on marital fidelity and love for Rome on Friday as she inaugurated the city's first international film festival.
Australian actress Nicole Kidman, and director Steven Shainberg (R),poses for photographers at the end of her press-conference for the film 'Fur: an imaginary portrait of Diane Arbus', presented in Rome, Friday 13 October 2006. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI
The Australian actress met the press in Rome's Auditorium after a critics' screening of her latest movie, Steven Shainberg's Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, in which she plays the late controversial photographer.
Questions ranged from her views on violence against women to what is needed for her to take off her clothes on the set.
'Now I am embarassed,' she said after being asked to discuss her views on marital fidelity.
Kidman said divorcing Tom Cruise in 2001 had helped her professional career and said she had 'pretty strict ideas' about sexual faithfulness.
She described as 'a quandary' the relationship between 'wanting to express yourself artistically and the desire to be devote to your relationship.'
In an apparent reference to her new husband, Australian country singer Keith Urban, she said: 'There is an inherent understanding between people who are artistically drawn to each other. At the same time, you don't choose who you fall in love with.'
Wearing glasses, a black skirt, golden satin top and matching shoes, Kidman revealed that she collects black and white photographs and is happy to have settled down in Nashville, Tennessee.
'It's a wonderful place for me to live in. I feel very protected there. I like to be somewhere that isn't a big city and I am very drawn to the rural aspect of Tennessee. I love to ride horses and stuff, so that's good,' she said.
Asked about her relationship with Rome, Kidman revealed that she fell in love with the city during her first holiday in the Italian capital, when she was 17 years old.
'I had a bit of a Roman Holiday experience, riding around on a Vespa and all that. I've been in love with this place ever since,' she said, quoting the memorable 1953 blockbuster starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Fur, which has received a lukewarm reception from critics, officially opened the first edition of the Rome International Film Festival. It will run until October 21st.
The festival is the brainchild of Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, a well-known cinema buff who aims to recapture the city's 'Dolce Vita' aurea of the 1950s and at the same time promote it as a prime movie location.
Other stars expected in the city over the coming week include Robert De Niro, Leonardo Di Caprio and Harrison Ford. Sean Connery picked up a lifetime award during a ceremony on Thursday evening.
The 16 films in competition will be judged by a popular jury of 50 ordinary movie-goers led by Italian director Ettore Scola.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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