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| MatteoRenzi Ph GIOVANNI GASTEL |
MATTEO RENZI GRACES ROLLING STONE ITALIA’S COVER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY GIOVANNI GASTEL
“I SEE MYSELF AS THE ULTIMATE ANTI-ROCKSTAR”
“Matteo Renzi has turned communication and storytelling into his primary political tools. The Washington Post even dubbed him a ‘master of social media.’ We captured him through Giovanni Gastel’s refined lens for the November cover of Rolling Stone. Our aim was to glimpse beyond his Twitter persona and campaign catchphrases. Even pop culture, the essence of Rolling Stone, loses appeal if it relies solely on messaging, regardless of its quality.” These are the reflections of Giovanni Robertini, director of Rolling Stone Italia, on the issue featuring Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, photographed by Giovanni Gastel and interviewed by Robertini on October 10.
From House of Cards (“politics isn’t quite like that, though it’s a captivating portrayal”) to The Young Pope (“Sorrentino is brilliant; the pope with a Cherry Coke is fascinating and thought-provoking”), and from Obama (“his ‘Yes We Can’ philosophy embodies the limitless American dream”) to Gianroberto Casaleggio’s video message (“I don’t view the future as a threat; it’s an idea foreign to me”), a wide range of topics were covered. Below is a glimpse of Matteo Renzi’s exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, now available on newsstands:
Our magazine once pondered if Berlusconi was a rockstar. What’s your take? “If he’s a star, I question how rock he is.” Do you see yourself as more pop or rock? “I see myself as quite plain, the ultimate anti-rockstar.” Yet, your media presence mirrors star-like qualities… “Many politicians bask in self-adulation, resisting the idea of stepping back. They’re ever-present, unwilling to embrace the idea of stepping aside. We see this in the referendum campaign as well. I view politics as a fleeting duty, unlike being a rockstar. I’m far from that; just a simple guy from the suburbs, a former boy scout.” Paul McCartney mentioned listening to rap to stay current in a recent interview with us. How do you keep up with the times? Do you listen to rap? “I’m not sure how up-to-date I am. I strive to stay informed. To learn broadly, there’s no better way than chatting with my kids instead of listening to rap.” Do your kids enjoy rap? “Sometimes, yes. My Spotify has a bit of everything.” Do you have Rovazzi’s Andiamo a comandare on there? “Yes, along with tracks from artists critical of me, like Vorrei ma non posto by J Ax and Fedez. My playlist spans from Signore delle cime to the latest by Elio e le Storie Tese, longtime favorites.” Who is the Bob Dylan of Italian politics? “It’s hard to pinpoint, but perhaps Walter Veltroni, with his love for America, and deep passion for arts, cinema, writing, and poetry.”
www.rollingstone.it