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The world-famous Italian actress Claudia Cardinale would change nothing if she played “Mayrig” by Henri Verneuil again after paying her first visit to Armenia and taking a closer look at the Armenian women.

“I would change nothing, besides, Armenians and Italians are a little like each other,” Claudia Cardinale, who is in Armenia in the frames of Golden Apricot International Film Festival, told reporters today.

She also said she has always done what the film director instructed her to: “The most important thing is the relations between actor and director as you should become what the director wants you to.” Still since the beginning of her career, C. Cardinale knew H. Verneuil. The actress said, she had known about the Armenian genocide before taking a cast in the film.

The actress dreamt to visit Armenia, though, she hasn’t managed to visit many places yet. “I would like to have time to travel around Armenia, but I’ll do it next time,” she said.

The actress doesn’t know the Armenian culture well, but as she said, she has received many books and she will read them and will watch Armenian films when at home.

As regards her impressions from Golden Apricot Film Festival, Cardinale said she feels the festival will be success since the hall was full and crowded during the opening ceremony Sunday. “This is a nice festival. The reception was very warm,” she said.

The Italian Ambassador to Armenia told reporters at the news conference C. Cardinale’s visit marked a new stage in the Armenian-Italian cultural ties.

“Mayrig” (Mother) by Henri Verneuil, whose 90th birth anniversary is celebrated this year, marked the opening of Golden Apricot 7th Yerevan International Film Festival.

Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan granted the famous actress a gold medal of Culture Ministry at the official opening ceremony. Today the actress will be paid tribute and will be honored with “Parajanov's Thaler” for her contribution and investment in the cinema.