**Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña: Cultivating a Love for Cinema in Their Family**
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Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña, who have been sharing their lives since their marriage in 2013, are not only devoted parents but also passionate advocates of cinema education for their three sons. The couple, who welcomed twins Cy and Bowie, now aged 11, and their youngest son Zen, aged 9, are keen on imparting their love for classic films to their children.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Perego, who has made significant strides as a producer in the film industry, discussed the joy of watching timeless movies as a family. “We just showed our boys Billy Wilder’s *The Apartment* from the 1960s, and they adored it,” he revealed. This engagement with classic cinema is an integral part of their family routine, aiming to enhance their children’s understanding of film history from a young age.
Perego, himself an aficionado of 20th-century cinema, grew up in Italy immersed in the works of iconic filmmakers including Federico Fellini and Stanley Kubrick. His appreciation for cinema has found a new dimension as he steps into the industry as a producer. Notably, two of the films he worked on at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival received top accolades, further establishing his reputation in the film world.
In addition to their cinematic pursuits, both parents share a common thread in their backgrounds that informs their approach to parenting. Saldaña, recognised for her remarkable roles in blockbuster films like *Avatar* and *Guardians of the Galaxy*, has a diverse heritage, being of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, while Perego hails from Italy. This eclectic mix has driven them to instil a bi-cultural environment for their children, teaching them Italian and Spanish.
Alongside their film watching, Perego and Saldaña are keen on dissociating traditional gender roles in their family. Saldaña has openly spoken about the importance of raising emotionally expressive children. “We hold our boys to the same standards we would expect from girls,” she remarked in a past interview. Their goal is to foster well-rounded individuals who can comfortably express their feelings and engage with the evolving dynamics of gender roles in society.
As soccer enthusiasts, their sons share in their parents’ interests. However, cinematic education remains a core focus, with the family recently enjoying the Italian classic *Cinema Paradiso*. “It was a very beautiful experience,” Perego said, hinting at his desire to continue sharing influential films with them. “We love watching film together. It’s our routine.”
Currently, the family is enjoying some time in Italy, where Saldaña is filming a new Netflix project titled *Positano*, alongside actor Matthew McConaughey. This location not only enhances their cultural experience but also keeps the family life vibrant amid their respective careers.
Looking ahead, Perego is not only proud of the strides his productions have made but is also delving deeper into directing with an upcoming film titled *Petrichor*. Furthermore, he announced that he will be producing a film starring Saldaña called *Still Life*. The collaborative spirit of their families extends into their professional lives, reflecting their creative desires and a shared vision for the future.
Perego acknowledged their mutual achievements at Cannes, stating, “All these awards, the Palme d’Or and the Grand Prix, are only possible due to great collaboration.” The couple seems increasingly focused on continued teamwork, both in their family and their careers, signifying a harmonious blend of parenting and passion.
As they navigate through their careers, Perego and Saldaña remain committed to nurturing not just their children’s film education, but their emotional intelligence and cultural fluency. With a firm belief in the importance of understanding and processing one’s feelings, they pave the way for their sons to grow into conscious and considerate individuals in an ever-evolving world.