Valerio Mastandrea: “We live in a moment of generally calculated and calculable general crazy”

Valerio Mastandrea Reflects on Modern Chaos: “We Live in a Moment of Generally Calculated and Calculable General Crazy”

Rome, Italy – March 26, 2025 – Renowned Italian actor and director Valerio Mastandrea has once again captured attention with a striking observation about the state of the world. Speaking at a press event in Rome on Tuesday to promote his latest directorial effort, Nonostante, set to open the Orizzonti competition at the 81st Venice Film Festival this August, Mastandrea offered a cryptic yet thought-provoking comment: “We live in a moment of generally calculated and calculable general crazy.”

The statement, delivered with his signature blend of Roman wit and introspective depth, has sparked intrigue among fans and critics alike. Known for his award-winning performances in films like The First Beautiful Thing and Perfect Strangers, as well as his distinctive voice work as the Armadillo in Zerocalcare’s animated series Strappare lungo i bordi, Mastandrea is no stranger to weaving social commentary into his art. His latest remark seems to encapsulate the frenetic, unpredictable nature of contemporary life—a theme that resonates deeply with his new film.

Nonostante, Mastandrea’s second feature as a director, explores the liminal space between life and death through the story of a man (played by Mastandrea himself) existing as an invisible spectre in a hospital while tethered to his comatose body. The arrival of a new patient, portrayed by Dolores Fonzi, disrupts his solitary routine, sparking a poignant connection shadowed by their fleeting time together. The film’s whimsical yet tragic tone mirrors Mastandrea’s observation of a world that is both meticulously orchestrated and chaotically unhinged.

When pressed to elaborate on his comment, Mastandrea leaned into his characteristic dry humor. “Look around,” he said, gesturing vaguely at the bustling room of journalists. “Everything’s planned—your phone tells you when to wake up, what to eat, who to hate. But then you step outside, and it’s all madness. Calculated madness, sure, but madness still.” The 53-year-old actor, born and raised in Rome’s Garbatella neighborhood, has long been a keen observer of human behavior, a trait that has fueled his four David di Donatello wins and a career spanning over three decades.

The phrase “calculated and calculable general crazy” has already begun trending online, with fans interpreting it as a critique of everything from social media algorithms to global politics. One supporter wrote, “Valerio nails it—our lives are spreadsheets of insanity,” while another quipped, “He’s basically describing Rome traffic.” The comment aligns with Mastandrea’s reputation for blending the personal with the universal, a hallmark of his work both in front of and behind the camera.

Mastandrea’s directorial debut, Ride (2018), tackled the emotional aftermath of workplace fatalities in Italy, earning him a Nastro d’Argento for Best Debut Feature. With Nonostante, he continues to probe existential questions, this time through a surreal lens that reflects the absurdity of modern existence. “The coma in the film is a metaphor,” he explained earlier this month in an interview with The Upcoming. “It’s about people stuck in routines, unable to move, while the world spins out of control around them. Sounds familiar, no?”

As one of Italy’s most beloved cinematic figures, Mastandrea’s words carry weight beyond the screen. His recent role as the abusive husband Ivano in Paola Cortellesi’s groundbreaking 2023 film There Is Still Tomorrow—one of Italy’s highest-grossing films ever—underscored his ability to portray complex, flawed characters with nuance. Off-screen, his life reflects a grounded authenticity: a devoted father to sons Giordano and Ercole, a passionate AS Roma fan, and a collaborator with talents like Zerocalcare and Paolo Virzì.

With Nonostante poised to make waves at Venice, Mastandrea’s latest musing invites audiences to ponder the paradox of a world that is both predictable and wildly erratic. “We try to control it all,” he mused, “but the crazy wins every time.” As the film’s premiere approaches, it’s clear that Mastandrea’s voice—whether in dialogue, direction, or offhand remarks—remains a compelling lens on our calculatedly chaotic times.