Italy was a surprise in my life. I went there just to make money and then go back to Israel and study psychology. The arts wasn't something I grew up with or thought I could be part of.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I went to Yugoslavia to make a movie. People saw me there and asked me to do a movie in Germany. And that led to a movie in Italy. Before I knew it, I was in Europe for most of the next 10 years.
I couldn't settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.
A really interesting and happy time was when I first went to Florence as a student and studied Italian. I was living in a pensione on an allowance of £40 a month, which was princely. I did a lot of work and enjoyed myself immensely.
I have been going to Italy since 1980, but I always went to do work. I did not live overseas, because I do not like running around with everything I own in a paper bag.
I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians.
I love Italy and I say I am from Italy wherever I go.
I wanted to go to Rome. I got an offer to do an Italian film and I went.
Venice, Italy, is one of my favorite cities, a place I've been lucky enough to visit twice.
I had a very exciting life in Italy, and I was doing lots of variety shows.
I think I went to Italy initially for the art, architecture, food and history, but I stayed there because of the people in Cortona.