Sophia Loren was happy to come out of retirement for her son.
Sophia Loren
The 86-year-old actress hasn't starred in a film for 10 years but appears as holocaust survivor Madame Rosa in 'The Life Ahead' because she knew it would be easy working with its director, her own offspring Edoardo Ponti.
She told Closer Weekly magazine: "He knows me so well. He knows every inch of my face, my heart, my soul.”
And the 47-year-old filmmaker was delighted with his mother's performance.
He said: "She wants to put it all on the line to make a movie that is so deep, so challenging, both emotionally and physically...
"The energy and passion with which she approaches every scene is a marvel to watch."
Sophia lives in Geneva and though Edoardo and his brother Carlo Ponti Jr. - who she had with late husband Carlo Ponti - are based in California with their families, she stays in regular contact and FaceTimes with them every day.
She has said: "My approach to life is very simple. Enjoy all the good news that my children tell me about their lives. The beauty of my grandchildren fills me with joy although they are far away in California.”
The screen legend hopes to make a visit to the US in the next month, but at the moment she is kept occupied with gardening, reading, and long walks.
A source added: "She has a loyal band of longtime friends that see her and take good care of her."
The Italian actress previously explained she enjoys the "peaceful" life she leads in Geneva.
She said: “Geneva is very, very close to Italy so I am never far away.
"When I’m in Rome, I’m with my sister. But I chose Geneva a long time ago before I had my children because it was a very quiet place to live… And it’s peaceful. But whenever I want to go to Italy, I just get on a train or plane and I’m there. And then I get to be with my sisters and my friends. Italy will always be in my heart.”
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