Valeria Golino, Queen Of Open Roads 25, On Her 4 Fab Films [VIDEO]

Valeria Golino has been named the Regina (Queen) of this year’s Open Roads, taking a central role in the festival’s programming. The acclaimed actress appears in four of the 15 films being screened, showcasing a diverse range of potent and nuanced performances.

A Showcase of Versatility

In Mario Martone’s Fuori, Golino portrays the celebrated Italian writer Goliarda Sapienza. This role follows five years of work Golino spent adapting Sapienza’s novel, The Art of Joy, for television.

Her range extends to Ludovica Rampoldi’s feature debut, A Brief Affair (Breve storia d’amore), where she plays an unapologetic therapist. In Leonardo Di Costanzo’s Elisa, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, she takes on the role of a grieving mother.

Completing the quartet is Nicolangelo Gelormini’s dark comedy La Gioia. In this production, which also bowed at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Golino is virtually unrecognizable as a spinster teacher who is swindled by a young student.

Did You Know? Valeria Golino has been nominated for over 30 David Di Donatello Awards—Italy’s equivalent to the Oscars—across categories including lead and supporting actress, writer, director, and producer.

From Hollywood Splash to Italian Mastery

Golino first gained significant American attention in the 1988 Oscar-winning film Rain Man, starring alongside Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. This success led to a series of 1990s U.S. Projects, including Leaving Las Vegas, Escape From L.A., and the Hot Shots! franchise.

Despite her international visibility, her career reached new heights upon returning to Italian cinema. A pivotal moment occurred with her performance in Emanuele Crialese’s Respiro, which won the Critics Week Grand Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Beyond acting, Golino has established herself as a director. She made her debut with the celebrated film Honey (Miele) in 2013 and later helmed Euphoria, which was featured in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Golino’s trajectory represents a rare successful pivot from the Hollywood studio system back to auteur-driven European cinema. Her ability to transition from acting to writing and directing suggests a comprehensive mastery of the cinematic craft that elevates her standing in the global industry.

Future Projects and Accolades

Golino’s recent work includes roles in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Volare, The Beautiful Game, and Pablo Larrain’s Maria. Her television experience is equally broad, with credits including The Morning Show, In Treatment, and Julius Caesar.

Valeria Golino, Queen Of Open Roads 25, On Her 4 Fab Films

Looking ahead, Golino has recently wrapped production on Marco Perego’s Petrichor, featuring Isabella Rossellini. She is also likely to appear in two upcoming films with Alessandro Borghi: Gianni Amelio’s Nessun dolore (No Pain) and Roberto De Paolis’ Da tenere bene a mente (Worth Keeping Well in Mind).

Open Roads continues through June 4th, offering audiences a rare opportunity to see four distinct facets of Golino’s artistry in a single event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which films featuring Valeria Golino are screening at Open Roads?
Golino appears in Fuori, A Brief Affair (Breve storia d’amore), Elisa, and La Gioia.

What are some of Valeria Golino’s most notable awards?
She has won four David Di Donatello Awards and twice won the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival (the Volpi Cup) for A Tale of Love and For Your Love.

Has Valeria Golino worked behind the camera?
Yes, she made her directorial debut with Honey (Miele) in 2013 and directed Euphoria, which screened at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Which of Valeria Golino’s diverse roles—from the no-bullshit therapist to the grieving mother—interests you the most?