An evening with Sophia Loren

"Che emozione!"

That's what Sophia Loren said to the round of

applause given by the cheering crowd as she settled down in her chair on stage at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at the Montgomery College Rockville campus.

Dressed in a beautiful red suit (with a gold necklace on top of the red blouse) with black heels, the legendary silver screen Oscar winning actress spent an evening sharing her memories about her career and life. After the talk, VIP guests (Who paid $550 per person) had the opportunity to meet and greet with the Italian actress sponsored, in part, by The Italian Cultural Society of Washington, D.C.

Two Women, the 1960 Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica, that won Loren an Oscar was one of the most beautiful moments of her life she told the audience. Not only for the Oscar but also the chance to play a character from a beautiful written piece of work by Alberto Moravia (La Ciociara).

What an evening to hear Sophia Loren talk about her incredible career on the silver screen. I definitely want a red suit now. She wouldn’t reveal any beauty secrets... because you know as she said they are secrets. Haha! And for aspiring actors out there... she said you have to really want it. Her favorite city in the world- Naples of course!

At some point during the evening, Sophia started speaking in Italian and a woman from the audience started to speak back to her. And then before you knew it, Sophia invited the woman on the stage. Turns out she is also from Naples and they shared an exchange about the town where they are from and the memories of the War. And the woman was very proud to end up on stage and she even got a picture with her before being escorted off the stage.

I have a lot of movies to watch and eager to return to Naples- all in honor of Sophia Loren!