Biography
Leading Italian actress Valentina Cervi was only in her early twenties when she started landing major roles in internationally produced features, such as
Jane Campion's
Portrait of a Lady (1996) (Cervi's first English-language role). The granddaughter of famed actor
Gino Cervi (best known for playing the communist Mayor Peppone opposite
Fernandel in the
Don Camillo film series), Cervi made her film debut at age ten in Carlo Cotti's Portami la luna (1986). She went on to appear in several more films, including
Mignon E Partita (1988). Cervi earned acclaim for essaying the title role in
Artemisia (1997). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide