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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

TFK Q&A

WHO Roberto Benigni

CLAIM TO FAME Italian director and comic actor. He plays Pinocchio in a new live-action film he directed, which opens on December 25. (For more on Roberto Benigni, go to timeforkids.com/roberto)

Q Unlike most of your films, Pinocchio is for children. Why did you decide to make it?

A It's a movie for children between 8 and 80. The story is so beloved around the world. Mamma mia, so many messages inside it! It's a forest of wonderful things.

Q So it's a favorite tale of yours?

A Oh, yes, sure. Since I was a little boy in Italy, everybody called me Pinocchio because I was born in the same place as Pinocchio. [Benigni and Pinocchio author Carlo Collodi are both from the Italian region of Tuscany.] Like him, I didn't like school. I liked to run and play with animals in my village.

Q What was the hardest part of making this movie?

A To be faithful to Collodi's book. I've watched the movie about 300 times, but still I start to cry in several scenes with Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy. In the book, his relationship with the Blue Fairy is more important than his relationship with Geppetto.

Q What accomplishment are you most proud of?

A I am so happy that I am working in show business. I am proud when I see people in the street laughing at me. I thank heaven for this!

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