This is a new campaign by the Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health) here in Italy.
The wording roughly translates to, “Food, Love, and Health” – the 3 basic ingredients for a happy life, according to the government.
I have seen her face on buses, in train stations, and on the side of buildings. And it’s starting to bother me…there’s something just not quite right about her, don’t you think?
I think maybe sanita’ should be insanita’ instead. Is it just me?
rowena says
Now some talented graffiti artist oughtta do something…with her. She’s hella scary, in a Stepford Wife kinda way.
Changing the subject…how is the Setteveli coming along? Come’on! We’re anxiously waiting here!!
Autumn says
haha! I laughed when I saw this the other day in the metro station. If this is the government’s idea of having a happy life I think I will pass.
Where did they find this freaky looking chick?
Giulia says
Look, it’s the Joker’s (Jack Nicholson’s version) daughter!
Typesetter says
I saw it this morning in Loreto and found it honestly puzzling: what is this ad suppsed to be about?
nyc/caribbean ragazza says
I think she has on too much blush.
Food, love and health are very important for a happy life. Just not sure what the model has to do with that message…haha
Robert says
I was thinking Stepford Wife myself there, or clockwork assassin (a la Doctor Who). Creepy either way…
Neha says
insanita indeed! she looks like she might be holding a butcher knife in her left hand…
Jeni says
I agree with everyone – a scary version of so many different scary characters. With all the beautiful Italian women, why, why, why did they chose this insane caricature???
finnyknits says
I think she has la febbre. I mean, look at those extra rosy cheeks. Ironic that she is representing health with her obviously feverous face.
Jay says
Who needs problems with a smile like that
Farfallina... a roam to Rome says
I see we’re all on the same page!! I opened your post, and the main thing that caught my eye was those heavily retouched bright red cheeks …
Yes, I’m with everyone on this one! Couldn’t they choose a better campaign immage? Too funny…
tui says
Somebody call Aldous Huxley – I think this chick od’d on Soma!
Beth says
Wow, she’s pretty scary! That’s about the only way I can work in “pretty”…
sognatrice says
I haven’t seen this. Thank goodness–I might have nightmares now….
Shelley - At Home in Rome says
You beat me to this one. I have been debating for about 2 weeks whether or not to post on it. I think I was so baffled myself I didn’t really know what I’d say. But here’s what Ale and I have been saying about it, besides the fact that it’s just plain ridiculous-looking: WHY ON EARTH DOES THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH NEED AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN? I can see if it’s for a public announcement like a change in health care or something… but just to say “Hey, love bread and health.” WTF?! Our tax dollars hard at work. Don’t get me started.
Italian Woman says
Oh, how funny. I needed a laugh today. Thanks!
She reminds me of the little black-haired nurse in One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest. Which, as you may recall, took place in a mental hospital!
Judith in Umbria says
I was seriously taken aback when I started seeing this literally all over Florence. This is Italian? I took her for a Swiss milkmaid. Oddly, they seem to have nothing to suggest about implementing this happiness program. Or is it one? It doesn’t say what they mean at all.
jackie says
yikes! you’re right. she’s scary! I’ve yet to see her in Macerata, but hopefully she won’t invade our little town!
Lisa says
That made me laugh out loud. Thanks. :D
Maryann@FindingLaDolceVita says
She’s just too happy about something. I wouldn’t trust her :)
Ms. Adventures in Italy says
It sounds like it’s unanimous….!! Wacked-out!
k*h says
this ad has been driving me nuts too. every time i look at it, i think about how the ministry of health just cut funds to an autism project in florence (and along with it, eliminated my husband’s job).
so with the money they saved by screwing over those autistic kids, they paid this girl to leer psychotically at people passing through train stations across italy? seriously, good idea.
Shelley, At Home in Rome says
Update on this … I was in Termini train station the other day and was stopped dead in my tracks when there was a full-scale ad of this with music running on like 5 TVs simultaneously in the entrance hall. It is very creepy… there are no words, no actual movement, it’s just shots of this ad that get flashed in really fast over and over on the screen, with the “nurse’s” mouth opening and closing in that freakish grin, with this frantic music going in the background. I couldn’t believe it. She’s everywhere! Fa paura!
anon says
We recently returned home from 2 weeks’ travel in Italy and my young daughters are still talking about “the scary lady with the red cheeks”. She seemed to be following us on signs and then was definitely on all of the track-side video monitors in Termini, making matters worse. It really does seem that the campaign should be mental health related, and not in a good way.