Happy 52nd Birthday, Matteo Garrone! Born today in 1968, this Italian screenwriter, producer and film director is one of Italy's most celebrated modern filmmakers.
Born in Rome, Garrone was the son of an artistic family. He parents were Italian photographer, writer and theatre critic Nico Garrone and Italian actress Donatella Rimoldi. Garrone's brother is Italian writer, producer and director Stefano Garrone.
Matteo worked as a painter from 1986 to 1995. The following year in July, he won the Sacher d'Oro, an award sponsored by Italian film director, producer, screenwriter and actor Nanni Moretti ('Dear Diary', 'The Son's Room').
This was for writing and directing the twenty-minute 1996 Italian drama short film 'Silhouette'.
The short later became one of the three episodes that are on his first long feature, the 1997 Italian drama film 'Terra di Mezzo' ('Land in Between').
In the late 2000s, Garrone co-wrote and directed the film of which he is best known. This was the 2008 Italian drama/comedy film 'Gomorah'. It is based on Italian writer, essayist, and screenwriter Roberto Saviano's 2006 investigative non-fiction book of the same name.
Set in the slums of Campania, the Camorra crime syndicate has created a fortune out of cocaine, corruption and chemical waste.
However, some try to fight back, like teenagers Ciro (Ciro Petrone) and Marco (Marco Macor). Both decide to steal a Camorra weapons cache in a bid to take control themselves.
Others try to hide, like Pasquale (Salvatore Cantalupo), a tailor trying to get around paying protection fees. But the realization sets in: The Camorra is too large, too deeply embedded in Italy to be fought.
In his book, Saviano documents his infiltration and investigation of various areas of business and daily life controlled or affected by criminal organization Camorra.
The film was released in Italy on May 16, 2008, competed it competed in competition at the 65th Cannes Film Festival in May of that same month and won the Grand Prix.
'Gomorrah' later premiered in North America at the 33rd Toronto International Film Festival on September 11 that same year.
Later that same year, 'Gomorrah' received critical acclaim, and also swept the won the 21st European Film Awards, winning five awards.
This was followed by a release in New York City and Los Angeles on February 13, 2009. On a budget of $6.2 million, 'Gomorrah' went on to gross $34 million plus at the box office.
In his 2009 review of the film, Roger Ebert writes: "It is all so sordid. "Gomorrah" is a film about Italian criminals killing one another. One death after another. Remorseless. Strictly business.
The question arises: How are there enough survivors to carry on the business? Another question: Why do willing recruits submit themselves to this dismal regime?"
The other notable accolades and nominations for 'Gomorrah' include a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (Italy). However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 66th Golden Globe Awards in mid-January 2009.
The following month, in received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language. However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 62nd British Academy Film Awards on February 6.
Three weeks later, 'Gomorrah' received a César nomination for Best Foreign Film. However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 34th César Awards on February 27.
Three years later, Garrone co-wrote and directed the 2012 Italian drama/comedy film 'Reality'. It competed in competition at the 65th Cannes Film Festival in May of that same year and won the Grand Prix.
Later that same year, Garrone served as a member of the jury at the 69th Venice Film Festival.
Two years later, Saviano created the Italian crime drama television series Gomorrah (2014–present. It is loosely based on the same book, but unrelated to the film.
The following year , Garrone's 2015 Italian drama/fantasy film 'Il racconto dei racconti' ('Tale of Tales'), was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in May of that year.
This was followed by his 2018 Italian crime drama/thriller film 'Dogman' three years later at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in May of that year, respectively.
Both films were selected to compete for the Palme d'Or. Unfortunately, both failed to capture this festival's highest honor twice.
In 2019, Garrone wrote and directed the 2019 Italian fantasy/drama film 'Pinocchio'. It is based off of Italian author, humorist, and journalist Carol Collodi's 1883 fantasy fiction novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. The film stars Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director Roberto Benigni as Geppetto.
Ironically, Benigni wrote, directed and starred as the title character of his own eponymous film in 2002. Garrone's 'Pinocchio' was set to be released on December 19 in both Italy and France.
Garrone's trademarks in film are often using hand-held camera work, frequently casting nonprofessional actors, often using long takes (without any cuts), always working as a camera operator for his own films and long dialogues spoken in dialect.
Other trademarks include often working with Italian screenwriters Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, and Massimo Gaudioso, always working with Italian cinematographer Marco Onorato (until his death on June 2, 2012), always working with Italian editor Marco Spoletini.
This also includes often working with French film composer of Greek descent Alexandre Desplat.
According to Garrone's personal life, he has one son, Nicola. This was with his former companion, Italian actress and director Nunzia De Stefano. Garrone was also a former tennis player.
Since the beginning of his illustrious career, Garrone has tackled themes of immigration and dark obsession.
However, he later became a Cannes favorite when he expanded his vision towards everything from mafia epics and reality television fables to fairytale reimaginings.
Garrone has been active from 1996–present.
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