Happy birthday to the Italian western queen....

Happy birthday to the magnificent force that is Claudia Cardinale.

Born on this day, Italian/Tunisian film star Claudia has been the muse of iconic filmmakers such as Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and my personal favourite, Sergio Leone.

In 2018, @Almeria Western Film Festival Oficial presented Claudia with her well deserved "Tabernas De Cine" award in 2018. ❤️

Thanks to Jose, Vera & Javier Arnal Página for allowing me in to Claudia's amazing press conference at Oasys MiniHollywood, where she stunned and wowed the room with her wit, charm and sense of humour.

Claudia was magnetic, mischievous and charming throughout her stay....

Here are some memories of a special few days, including being one of many who surrounded Claudia as she gracefully re-enacted the famous walk from McBain's ranch at Sweetwater to roughly where the well would have been in Once Upon a Time in the West

Thanks to Monika Rausch and the friend I call the Location Master & Sheriff of Tabernas, Ray Watts for the AWFF images, & a sneaky peek of a few of my prized Claudia photographs that were refused by the New Zealand Film Censors in the 60's, and given to me by my Dad for my birthday last year. I'm intending to build a little gallery in Claudia and the greatest movie ever made's honour....progressing slowly but surely here, and looking forwards to showing you what I've been up to over the last few weeks! New project on its way and you'll be hearing more of my love for Claudia and co soon :)

(*Pictured in the Almeria gang of 2018: Italian rhythm master Enrico Borracuda, Anne Hagel, Jill & Ian Foster, Adie Hardy and Ray Watts.)

Long may the Queen of Italian Westerns reign....