All the Kremlin's bullshit
By Giorgio Viscardini
March 5, 2013, 6:44am
Thanks to Ilona Staller for the photos.
Moana Pozzi and her mysteries are talked about every other month or so, and last week even Mistero arrived, which built the entire episode around her alleged assignment to the KGB. What everyone knows is that Moana was THE Italian porn star, a writer, a politician, and a singer, and then died at 33, like Jesus, but of hepatocellular carcinoma. Her audience never got over it, and as happens when young, pretty, and famous people are involved, some try to overcome the oblivion by invoking conspiracies, aliens, and Nazis.
Mistero has embraced the espionage theory, and to investigate, he's consulted a mysterious hypnotist and Cicciolina, or Ilona, or whatever we all call her in our hearts. Obviously, believing in a program born from the ashes of a man with a goatee piercing isn't easy, and faced with a standard journalistic approach like "I'm asking Cicciolina about the KGB – Cicciolina laughs – It's clear Moana worked for the KGB," I decided to discuss it directly with my friend Ilona, a couple of people from the secret services, and the mysterious hypnotist.
We all know Cicciolina, and my lifelong point of arrival was six months ago, when I wrote down her phone number in my diary. When we spoke today, she was courteous, as usual, and precise, sending me all the photos you find in this post one at a time—18 emails, one after the other, with no text and the subject line "Sending email" followed by the name of the attached file. Pure and simple poetry. She remembered me because last time I hadn't offered her enough money for a video appearance. This time she doesn't want any money, and I start my questions full of good intentions. But one thing is immediately clear: she's not interested in the story of Mystery: the secrets she wants to reveal to me are different, like the story of the anesthetized dicks on the set. I listen and take notes.
VICE: What was your relationship with Moana?
Cicciolina: Moana was one of my best friends. I have funny, sad, playful, and melancholic memories of her. Then when she died, I cried; I couldn't believe a 33-year-old woman could go so quickly. We'd made films in Hollywood, and after just five years, our paths had separated forever.
What was she like? What united you beyond your profession?
We had fun, we were wild, and beautiful. We went shopping at Madonna's boutique, buying everything we liked: lingerie, underwear, and swimsuits, all so colorful. Then we'd go to the beach and never wear them; we loved being naked.
Let's take a step back. How did you meet?
In 1983, Schicchi and I were 50/50 partners in Diva Futura. We had a stable of beautiful girls, including Moana, Ursula Davis, Ramba, Barbarella, Petra Rockstar, Vampirella, Baby Pozzi, Rocco, Eva Orlowsky, Mercedes Ambrus, Blondy, and Cornelia Oltean. Moana wasn't yet well-known, but she was ambitious and came with me to Paris, going crazy in front of the photographers. Then in 1987, she accompanied me on the election campaign, and everyone saw her as my best friend.
Since we were so close, I imagine you have your own answer to this question: why are we still talking about her twenty years after her death?
Moana wanted to be famous, she wanted to "make it," and become like me, so we started performing. She was strong and feisty, she took great care of her body, and with her television appearances, she became the dream of Italians. In her free time, we would grab our hiking boots and explore rivers, woods, and immerse ourselves in nature. With her popularity, she earned a lot, and she bought a house, jewelry, and luxury cars. She liked to live the high life.
From what you say, it seemed like she had a very transparent lifestyle, but obviously that's never the case. Some people, for example, talk about her involvement in the KGB. Did you ever discuss it?
We worked, we traveled, and we were always together, and I never saw anything that could connect her to the secret services. These are just rumors, inventions, at least I think. And then, frankly, the dates don't match, and she never spoke about it, not to me or to Riccardo [Schicchi]. Moana worked incredibly hard, always, and she did it for the money.
So why didn't you mention it in the Mistero feature?
Sorry, but no comment. But you also had dealings with the secret services, right? I don't want to talk about it anymore, so many years have passed. It's part of my past; back then, I wasn't Cicciolina, I was a "Hari."
Mystery is about ghosts and a supposed "secret message" that Moana's spirit supposedly gave you posthumously. Is it true?
Moana confided secrets to me, but she did it before she died. I've never spoken about it, and I never will; I was her best friend. She often relives in my dreams, smiling and full of life, and sometimes I feel like I can sense her presence in the house.
What's your fondest memory of Moana?
We were supposed to shoot a movie in Los Angeles, and the two actors were really nice. In the scene, we were in bed, with our asses in the air, and they were supposed to sodomize us. We weren't up for it... So Moana had an idea: "Ilona, I have some numbing cream, I got it in Paris. It's not just a lubricant, but it also numbs the hole, so we don't feel anything." It seemed brilliant, so we went to the bathroom, put the cream in there, and spread it on the boys too. At first, it went great; we didn't feel anything, then their things started to go limp. The director didn't know what to do, we were laughing like crazy, but no one knew why.
Now we finally know. What kind of person would she be today?
Her house is right across the street from mine; today, someone else bought it, a wealthy family, and every time I step out onto my large terrace, my gaze flies to her. I imagine that if Moana were alive today, she would be a beautiful 51-year-old, full of energy, and committed to social work.
First point to those who don't believe in the conspiracy. Now it's the "expert's" turn. The man Mystery calls "Mister G." is a hypnotist who does something else in life—I'll avoid saying what. Over the years, he's worked in the secret services as a consultant and "person informed of the facts." To reach him, I spoke with my contact Riccardo, who, before giving me his number, put me back in my place like the student who never listens: "Did you see what happened to the Pope? I told you, didn't I? It was obvious." Well, the lapses in attention haunt me. The hypnotist "Mister G." is Roman, he explains himself without too many problems, and he's the kind of man who tells you "I can't talk about it" but then keeps you on the phone for 20 minutes.
“Look, I can't actually tell you about it, but I can tell you that the connection between Moana and the secret services is not a scoop. It's been known for a long time. In those days, espionage was pretty much everywhere, and porn stars were widely used by the secret services. It's something everyone knows about, just as they know about the Moro case.” I remember Aldo Moro's photos of the wrecked car, his face, and the marquee in the background signed "Brigate Rosse." The official story says that Aldo Moro was kidnapped by the Red Brigades to destabilize the excessive power of the DC and defeat on points the ideologically rival party, the PCI, which had recently come to terms with the DC through the historic compromise and with Moro's help. What isn't said, and what Mister G. and Moana's hypnotic memory claim, is something else entirely. “Moana said that Moro left accompanied by the secret services, of his own free will. I'm not the only one saying this, but if you search around a bit, you'll find a lot of material on this matter.”
VICE: Let's start with the most obvious question: how did Moana know all this?
Mister G: She was Craxi's lover, and Craxi knew everything. Men talk in certain situations. She must have found out at one of those moments.
And what role did you play in the affair?
I'm a hypnotist. Moana and I met in 1982 or '83, at the Jackie O' in Rome. There were some friends from the secret services there, and she wanted to try a hypnosis session.
Nothing official.
No, of course not, just something between friends. Moana was passionate about esotericism and was a very curious woman.
And what happened?
Nothing, I hypnotized her, and during one of these sessions she told me about Moro. I can't tell you much, but if you put one plus one together, you can find everything you need. There are interviews and documents that all repeat the same thing: Aldo Moro wasn't kidnapped, but left voluntarily with some intelligence agents, and some Gladiators.
And why?
And who knows? They're considering making an investigative film about it.
Who would do it?
There are several groups interested. The project would be a bit Michael Moore-esque. It will be called The Experiment.
If there's a title, the project is already pretty solid.
Enough. We're considering some important collaborations with some high-caliber investigative journalists to make a documentary film that blends Italian history and narration, right?
Yeah, well. What's your connection to the secret services?
Over the years, I've often had to deal with them, the secret police, things like that... Let's just say the secret services have involved me on several occasions, and I've made some acquaintances.
And between porn stars and espionage?
Well, that's a relationship that's always existed. The services used porn stars a lot, and they still do today. On the other hand, that's normal, right? Who better than a porn star to extract a man's secrets? Ilona Staller said it openly. Porn stars were and are simple and effective weapons.
Were there others?
Of course, like now. Real intelligence is mostly made up of women.
Because men have the secrets.
Above all, and women between the legs have the weapon to open all doors.
Can you give me some names? Are there any rumors about any porn stars these days?
No, well, I don't know, I can't reveal too much. It's a widespread phenomenon.
So, can you confirm that Moana worked for the Russians?
It's best if we don't go into too much detail.
Shall we stop here?
Yes, it's better. You shouldn't go too far.
Then Mister G. starts talking to me about geopolitical pressure, using Pop Art, between the Soviet bloc and the Western bloc. He tells me that the United States invented Lichtenstein and Pollock to demonstrate their intellectual and evolutionary superiority to Russia, because "the more you abstract yourself, artistically, the more you appeal to the elite, who really matter." I get a bit lost here and leave the thread of the conversation in a jumble of notions about art and oil paints. But the question remains, and I still don't know anything for sure about Moana and the KGB. So I try again with Riccardo; he always knows everything there is to know, beyond the Pope.
VICE: Was Moana really from the KGB?
Riccardo: For years, there's been a rumor in the industry that her services benefited the Soviet bloc. What I can tell you is that it's a very well-founded rumor. And what if I asked you if you'd ever met her? I'd tell you that as a boy, we'd see each other every now and then in Milan, in San Babila, have an aperitif and chat a bit.
Why was he part of the KGB and not the Italian secret services?
I've always told you, the world is divided in two, and for many years the blocs remained the same. At that time, Italy was a strategic stronghold, and many were on the KGB's payroll; some knew it, others didn't. Before losing all its power, Italy was the meeting point between the West and the Soviet Union, and often, right here in Italy, the two blocs worked together, for convenience. Like on Via Fani.
Mister G. also told me about it. What happened during the Moro kidnapping?
Well, it's quite simple. The CIA and the KGB worked together on the Moro case, and on that day, the day of the kidnapping, some say both were present. It wasn't the CIA, the KGB, or the Red Brigades who took out Moro, but everyone, all together, both to get rid of him and to explode the issue of terrorism in Italy.
And are there so many "unsuspected" operatives like Moana?
Well, yes, but unfortunately I can't tell you about that. If you think about it, it's pretty obvious: "intelligence" is the search for information, and certain activities are more effective than others.
And what about the connection between porn and espionage?
It's always existed! Sex is part of being human, and the old sayings are never wrong—you know, "A pussy hair is more attractive..." That's still the case today. There are pedophiles and homosexuals, sure, but there are still plenty of traditionalists. Even the police use transsexuals and prostitutes as informants, let alone the secret services.
And does it work?
Of course! When you talk about secret services, you're talking about the armed wing of politics, and automatically, all the dossiers of the various intelligence agencies like those in Pineta Sacchetti or Via Lanza in Rome are useful to whoever has access to them at a specific moment in history, and not just to study a phenomenon, but also, and above all, to uncover the worst plots. In the end, the more filth there is, the better, and that's how they screw over officials, politicians, and so on.
And with sex, you're on the safe side.
Well, of course, intelligence is information, and information is power, and with that power you can do whatever you want, never mind money. If someone doesn't sing, you have to be willing to do anything to achieve your goal and get what you want, and women in this field are a deadly weapon at the disposal of power. Ultimately, sex is a weakness of many men.
And that's what happened between Moana and Craxi.
Exactly. Craxi was definitely not homosexual, and he really liked women.
Okay, now I get it.
According to the spies, Moana was a spy; according to Cicciolina, she wasn't. I believe in Cicciolina a priori, but I also grew up with Mulder's basement conspiracy theories and Michael Knight's automotive double-dealing, and so I can't help but think that the CIA's collapse is as much attributable to the thickening of that bureaucratic web also known as "human rights" as it is to the unfortunate retirement of Jenna Jameson and all those professionals who once truly believed in what they did, for themselves and for their country. Then there's the Moro case, and everything else that can be said about conspiracies and machinations in politics and history, but this, for programming purposes, is less interesting than Moana.
