Happy 75th Birthday, Gianni Amelio! Born today in 1945, this Italian screenwriter and film director is one of Italy's most revered modern filmmakers.
Born in San Pietro Magisano, in province of Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy, Amelio's father, years later, moved to Argentina. This, however, resulted in a lack of a father figure throughout Amelio's childhood.
Years later, before he became a filmmaker, Amelio was a film critic for a local magazine.
Afterwards, he attended the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. This is one of the most important Italian publishers specialized in cinema publications in the country.
Earning a diploma in philosophy, Amelio then worked as a camera operator and also as assistant director.
In 1965, Amelio moved to Rome, where he worked as operator and assistant director for figures such as Italian cinema director and screenwriter Vittorio De Seta and Italian film director and screenwriter Liliana Cavani.
At the beginning of his career, Amelio directed various television films. His production eventually developed around documentaries and odd and elaborate films.
These included the 1973 Italian made-for-television drama film 'La città del sole' ('City of the Sun') interesting divagation on Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, theologian, astrologer, and poet Tommaso Campanella. The film was Amelio's first important work for RAI TV.
Three years later, Amelio followed this up by directing the 1976 Italian made-for-television documentary film 'Bertolucci secondo il cinema' ('Bertolucci According to the Cinema').
The documentary told of the shooting of the epic five-hour 1976 Italian/French/West German historical/drama film 'Novecento' ('1900'), starring Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu.
Amelio also followed this up with the 1979 Italian made-for-television thriller film 'Effetti speciali' ('Special Effects').
Six years later, Amelio directed the 1982 Italian drama film 'Colpire al cuore' ('A Blow to the Heart)'.
It was presented at the 39th Venice International Film Festival, where Amelio earned good success with the critics.
Amelio's films later proved themselves even more. These included the 1988 Italian biographical drama film 'I ragazzi di via Panisperna' ('The Boys on Panisperna Street').
The film told about the lives of 1930 Italian physicists such as Enrico Fermi and Edoardo Amaldi.
This also included 1990 Italian drama/crime film 'Porte Aperte' ('Open Doors'). It was with the latter that confirmed Amelio's status as one of Italy's best film directors.
The following year, 'Open Doors', Amelio received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 63rd Academy Awards in late March 1991.
Later that same year, Amelio was a member of the jury at the 48th Venice International Film Festival in September 1991.
Also later that same year, Amelio directed the 1992 Italian drama film 'Il ladro di bambini' ('The Stolen Children'). This would be another feature of the early 1990s of which Amelio began making a handful of incredible artistic outcomes.
The film later won the Special Jury Prize at the 45th Cannes Film Festival in May of that same year. It was also nominated for the Palm d'Or, but did not win.
Four months later, Amelio was a member of the jury at the 49th Venice International Film Festival in September 1992.
Two years later, this also included the film of which Amelio is best known for co-writing and directing. This was the 1994 Italian/French/Swiss/Austrian drama/political drama film 'Lamerica'.
Set after the fall of communism in Albania, Italian con artists Gino (Enrico Lo Verso) and Fiore (Michele Placido) head to the politically turbulent country to start a phony investment firm.
As a front, they declare an elderly homeless man named Spiro (Carmelo Di Mazzarelli) as their CEO.
However, when Spiro runs off, Gino journeys through the poverty-stricken country to find him, discovering how little money and material goods truly matter as he witnesses the widespread desperation around him.
'Lamerica' had premiered and was entered in the competition at the 51st Venice International Film Festival.
It was here where Amelio won the Golden Osella for Best Director. The film was also nominated for the Golden Lion, but did not win.
One year later, 'Lamerica' was selected as the Italian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film. However, it was not accepted as a nominee. This occurred at the 67th Academy Awards in late March 1995.
Three months later, 'Lamerica' was nominated for five David di Donatello Awards. However, it won three. This was for Best Cinematography, Best Music, and Best Sound.
The film lost for Best Director and Best Editing. This occurred at the 39th David di Donatello Awards in early June of that same year.
Later that same year, Amelio was a member of jury at the 48th Cannes Film Festival in May 1995.
Three years later, Amelio completed his arthouse cinematic creations of the 1990s. This was with the 1998 Italian drama film 'Così ridevano' ('The Way We Laughed').
While there, the film won the Golden Lion. This occurred at the 55th Venice International Film Festival in September of that same year.
In the early 2000s, Amelio directed the 2004 Italian drama/family film 'Le chiavi di casa' ('The Keys to the House').
It was nominated for a Golden Lion, but did not win. This occurred at the 61st Venice International Film Festival in September of that same year.
It was based on Italian writer and literary critic Giuseppe Pontiggia's 2000 fiction book Nati due volte (Born Twice).
Since 2008, Amelio has been the director of the Torino Film Festival.
An international film festival held annually in Turin, Italy, the event is held every November. It is the second largest film festival in Italy, following the Venice International Film Festival.
Amelio, along with legendary director Federico Fellini, have both won the Italian Silver Ribbon Award for Best Director. They both happen to share the same birthday as well.
Amelio has said: “We all need to witness something which does not leave a bitter taste in our mouths. We need a film which makes us dream after we are confronted with reality.”
Amelio has been active from 1967–present.
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