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Italian acting legend Lino Banfi has been honored with the Maximo Excellence Award at the Italian Global Series, celebrating a career that has spanned more than 60 years across film and television. The actor was the protagonist of a special conversation with journalist Carlo Gentile at the atmospheric Corte degli Agostiniani in Rimini on July 6, during the fourth day of the festival. The award was presented to Banfi by Undersecretary of Culture Lucia Bergonzoni and producer Verdiana Bixio.

Ahead of his 90th birthday, Banfi entertained the audience with stories, memories and anecdotes from his long career, beginning the conversation with a joke about his new look: “Did you notice that I cut my moustache after 40 years?” During the conversation, Banfi reflected on some of his most iconic roles, including his controversial portrayal of a gay character alongside Johnny Dorelli in Dio li fa poi li accoppia. “Today I would probably be arrested for that performance, but throughout my career I have done everything. I see that, on one hand, there is more freedom in language today, while on the other hand there are new limitations. For example, it seems that people no longer use the word ‘love’. I always said it to my wife and now, as I approach 90, I ask you: learn to use it again!”

Speaking about his work in Italian comedy films, including the so-called sexy comedies of the 1970s and 1980s, Banfi highlighted his approach to humor. “I never made vulgar jokes. I always measured my language throughout my life, I never went too far, I never abused it. Speaking of those films, one day a doctor wanted to shake my hand only because it was the hand that had touched a certain anatomical part of Nadia Cassini!”
Commenting on his distinctive acting style, Banfi explained: “My key was that I would suffer for a while and then explode. ‘Lino needs a release valve,’ directors used to say. They called it the ‘Banfi key’.”

The actor also spoke about adapting to today’s digital world and joked about his relationship with new terminology. “Now I try to adapt to modern times, although the first time I heard the word ‘hashtag’ I thought it was an eye disease. With my son I am about to make a podcast, only because to me it sounds like ‘a little bit of your home’ when said with a Puglian accent. It will be called ‘Parlando con le stelle’. I registered the title after Rai gave me permission, and I am already thinking about the theme song.” Asked whether he would ever consider becoming a director, Banfi replied: “Would I ever direct? No, it is too exhausting. First you have the filming, then the post-production. I am lazy. But I would have the experience.”

Banfi also looked back on one of his most beloved characters, Nonno Libero, from the successful TV series Un medico in famiglia. “It was a series for all ages. I loved it very much, it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. If they offered me the chance to return for a sequel, I would like that.” Recalling a scene from the series, he added: “I don’t know if you noticed that my watch can be seen on my wrist. This is the same one I have worn for 45 years. It is always the same and it is very precious to me, even though it is not from a particularly prestigious brand. When I need the time not to be visible, I simply turn it around.”

Banfi will celebrate his 90th birthday on July 9. To mark the occasion, Rai1 will broadcast the documentary Lino d'Italia - Storia di un itALIENO, directed by Marco Spagnoli, on July 8. The Italian Global Series honored Banfi’s extraordinary career, which has connected with multiple generations of audiences, through the Maximo Excellence Award.