I’ve been in my romance era for a sec (just take a look at my Goodreads), and watching La Dolce Villa has only increased my need for meet cutes, yearning, and a happy ending. Thankfully, this film had all of the above. Chatting with actress and singer Maia Reficco (she/her), I got to hear what it was like behind the scenes, whether or not Maia can flip a villa around like her character, and what rom-com she thinks you should watch next.

You got to experience Italy IRL while making this movie. What was that like?
It was incredibly immersive. We were in Rome for two months and then in Tuscany for three weeks—and it was a dream come true. I just fell in love with Italy, their culture, their point of view on life, and how they approach work. I loved it to the point that I’ve now been taking Italian lessons for a full year! So, yes, obviously it was ridiculously gorgeous, but even more than that, it was very informative to who I am and what I love to surround myself with.

Your character Olivia just wants to be a DIY girlie as she tries to restore an old villa. (Ya know, the usual.) Do you DIY anything yourself?
I’m terrible at DIYs [laughing]. I’m only good when it comes to anything that requires being precise like playing instruments. If I tried to DIY a house, I would probably burn it to the ground within the first week somehow. But knowing me, I would love to say that I would want to do it, and then I would get there and be like, “Oh, this is so hard. God, what do I do?” I know my limitations, and DIY is one of them.

We’re suckers for a good father-daughter relationship. What was it like creating that with Scott Foley?
It was fun to parallel our own dynamic with the characters’ dynamic as they rediscovered their father-daughter relationship. We were lucky to get along so well from the get-go, and I appreciate that he would make a lot of space for me. He would hear me out whenever I wanted to be heard and would encourage me to speak up when I needed to. Also, I loved his stupid dad jokes—they were so bad that they made me laugh. I’m so glad that I got to meet him through this.

We really need more rom-coms we can watch with the whole fam. Have any recs?
My favorite rom-com is Notting Hill. I’m a sucker for every aspect of it. My other favorite movie doesn’t have anything to do with romance, but I would watch it with anybody: Coraline.

And we have to ask: Do you have a fave Italian dish?
The things I would do for a carbonara in Rome right now. Actually, I’m pissed off because I can’t have it every day of my life [laughing].

Ciao for now 👋,
Chloe Trout, associate managing editor