The Spectator

October, 1985. Between walk-on roles for Italian television productions, Annie Belle had a cameo part in La Venexiana (The Venetian Woman), a 16th century set erotic-comedy period piece from experienced Italian director and frequent Pier Paolo Pasolini collaborator Mauro Bolognini. It was another favor from her friend, former lover, and the film’s producer, Ciro Ippolito. Annie has only a few lines of dialogue, but what stands out is that her name is prominently featured in the film’s opening credits as well as appears on the poster and in the marketing materials. She easily could have gone uncredited (her character doesn’t even have a name), so it goes to show just how much Ippolito respected Annie and, despite her hardships, still wanted her to succeed. Annie does not share any scenes with the film’s female stars, Laura Antonelli and Monica Guerritore, but she does have a brief interaction with the male lead played by the son-of-Sean, a young Jason Connery, still rocking a full head of foppish hair that time would soon diminish.