Pupi Avati
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Avati, better known as Pupi Avati (Bologna
, 3 November 1938–) is an Italian
film director
, producer
, and screenwriter
.
in 1938. After attending school and studying Political Science
at the University of Bologna
, he started working at a frozen food company. At the same time, he developed a passion for jazz
, becoming an amateur clarinetist. In the second half of the 1950s, he formed and played in the Doctor Dixie Jazz Band, of which Lucio Dalla
was also a member.
Although he initially intended to be a professional musician, Avati lacked the necessary talent. In the mid 1960s, he decided to dedicate himself to cinema
, his other love, after seeing Federico Fellini
's 8½
and its portrait of the role of a director. Avati's passion for music, as well as his love for his hometown, which was the setting of many of his films, were to become recurrent themes found in his productions.
His filmography as a director includes almost forty films and television works. As a screenwriter
, Avati wrote or co-authored the majority of his movies, as well as screenplays for other directors. He cooperated on the script of Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, 1976) directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
, even though he is not credited for it. He also produced several films for other directors and in his own work. Many of his movies are also produced by his brother Antonio Avati.
Avati began his career directing horror film
s and is considered one of the most notable Italian directors of this genre, with titles including La casa dalle finestre che ridono (The House with Laughing Windows
, 1976) and Zeder
(1983), which are considered his masterpieces.
According to Avati, the TV series Jazz Band
(1978), written about the story of the Doctor Dixie Jazz Band marked a turning point for his work. The subject of his movies began coming from his own experience, and his cinema became more nostalgic, introspective, and autobiographic. Moreover, the series was successful and brought Avati to the attention to a wider public compared to his previous films.
Throughout his career, Avati successfully directed and produced many genres of film, including horrors, medieval period pieces, dramas, jazz comedies, buddy comedies
, biopics and others, proving himself to be a versatile director.
During his career as a director, screenwriter, and producer, Avati was nominated for the Golden Palm
, Silver Ribbon
s, David di Donatello Awards, and many others. He won two David di Donatello Awards and five Silver Ribbons.
Avati was nominated Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana
on June 2, 1995.
He has presided over the Federico Fellini
Foundation, created in 1995, in memory of the great director of Rimini
.
In 2008, Avati published his autobiography, Sotto le stelle di un film, edited by Il Margine. Inspired by the autobiography of the director, in 2010, Claudio Costa made a documentary film of interviews and animations, called Pupi Avati, ieri oggi domani ("Pupi Avati, yesterday today tomorrow").
In 1974, Avati made the bizarre La mazurka del barone, della santa e del fico fiorone (The Mazurka of the Baron, the Saint and the Early Fig Tree), a movie with an almost fairy-tale
-like atmosphere in a style reminiscent of the movies of Federico Fellini
. In 1975, his musical
fantasy
, Bordella (House of Pleasure for Women), caused a commotion resulting in some censorship
.
In 1976, Avati directed the horror film
, La casa dalle finestre che ridono ("House of Laughing Windows"), set in the Po Valley
in Emilia–Romagna, which was appreciated by lovers of this genre. This movie was followed by Tutti defunti... tranne i morti (1977), a black comedy
with a similar theme but written in a parodistic
and farcical way.
Avati also directed several films and series for television. The previously mentioned Jazz Band
was broadcasted on RAI
TV in 1978, followed by Cinema!!! in 1979, Dancing Paradise in 1982, Accadde a Bologna in 1983, and È proibito ballare in 1989.
In 1980, he wrote the screenplay for Macabro (Frozen Terror, or Macabre), the first movie directed by Lamberto Bava
. This film was also produced by Avati.
In 1983, Avati directed the comedy, Una gita scolastica (A School Outing), and then another thriller-horror, Zeder
, which was considered one of his best films in the genre. After Impiegati (1984), he made Regalo di Natale (Christmas Present, 1986), starring Diego Abatantuono
in his first dramatic role. The sequel of this film was released in 2004 and titled Rivincita di Natale (Christmas Rematch).
His career continued in 1989 with Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze (The Story of Boys and Girls), which awarded him the Nastro d'Argento
for Best Director and Script in 1990. Following that, he made the biopic, Bix
in 1991, Magnificat
in 1993, the thriller L'amico d'infanzia (The Childhood Friend) in 1994, and the horror L'arcano incantatore (The Mysterious Enchanter} in 1996 with Stefano Dionisi.
In 1995, he wrote the screenplay of the RAI TV miniseries, Voci notturne, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti.
In 1998, Avati filmed Il testimone dello sposo (The Best Man), followed by La via degli angeli (A Midsummer Night's Dance) in 1999 and I cavalieri che fecero l'impresa (The Knights of the Quest) in 2001. Two years later he directed the sentimental comedy Il cuore altrove
(The Heart Is Elsewhere) with Neri Marcorè and Vanessa Incontrada in the role of a young blind woman. The film was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes Film Festival
, and he received the David di Donatello Award for the Best Director.
In 2005, he directed Vittoria Puccini
, Paolo Briguglia, and Claudio Santamaria
in the romantic comedy Ma quando arrivano le ragazze?. In the same year he directed Antonio Albanese
, Katia Ricciarelli
, and again Neri Marcorè in La seconda notte di nozze. In 2007, Diego Abatantuono, Francesca Neri
, Ines Sastre
, Vanessa Incontrada, and Violante Placido
acted in Avati's film, La cena per farli conoscere, while Laura Morante
acted as an Italian woman who takes over a disturbing building in Davenport, Iowa, in the horror, Il nascondiglio (The Hideout).
In 2008, Avati directed Il papà di Giovanna (Giovanna's Father), followed by Gli amici del bar Margherita (The Friends at Margherita Café) in 2009. Next, he directed Il figlio più piccolo ("The Youngest Son") in 2010 and Una sconfinata giovinezza ("A Boundless Youth") in 2011.
David di Donatello Awards
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists – Silver Ribbon
Venice Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film
Fantafestival
Fantasporto
Istanbul International Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
Sannio Film Fest – Capitelli d'oro
Valladolid International Film Festival
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, 3 November 1938–) is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
.
Early life and career
Pupi Avati was born in BolognaBologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
in 1938. After attending school and studying Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
, he started working at a frozen food company. At the same time, he developed a passion for jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, becoming an amateur clarinetist. In the second half of the 1950s, he formed and played in the Doctor Dixie Jazz Band, of which Lucio Dalla
Lucio Dalla
Lucio Dalla is a popular Italian singer-songwriter and musician. He also plays clarinet and keyboards.He is the composer of Caruso , which has been covered by numerous international artists...
was also a member.
Although he initially intended to be a professional musician, Avati lacked the necessary talent. In the mid 1960s, he decided to dedicate himself to cinema
Cinema
Cinema may refer to:* Film, motion pictures or movies* Filmmaking, the process of making a film* Movie theater, a building in which films are shown* Cinema or Bommalattam, a Tamil film...
, his other love, after seeing Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
's 8½
8½
8½ is a 1963 Italian fantasy film directed by Federico Fellini. Co-scripted by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, and Brunello Rondi, it stars Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director...
and its portrait of the role of a director. Avati's passion for music, as well as his love for his hometown, which was the setting of many of his films, were to become recurrent themes found in his productions.
His filmography as a director includes almost forty films and television works. As a screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, Avati wrote or co-authored the majority of his movies, as well as screenplays for other directors. He cooperated on the script of Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, 1976) directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, writer, and intellectual. Pasolini distinguished himself as a poet, journalist, philosopher, linguist, novelist, playwright, filmmaker, newspaper and magazine columnist, actor, painter and political figure...
, even though he is not credited for it. He also produced several films for other directors and in his own work. Many of his movies are also produced by his brother Antonio Avati.
Avati began his career directing horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
s and is considered one of the most notable Italian directors of this genre, with titles including La casa dalle finestre che ridono (The House with Laughing Windows
The House with Laughing Windows
The House with Laughing Windows is a 1976 Italian mystery-horror film co-written and directed by Pupi Avati. The movie was filmed in Lido degli Scacchi, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy...
, 1976) and Zeder
Zeder
Zeder is a 1983 Italian horror film directed by Pupi Avati, starring Gabriele Lavia. The story is about a young novelist's discovery of the writings of a late scientist who had found a means of reviving the dead.-Plot:...
(1983), which are considered his masterpieces.
According to Avati, the TV series Jazz Band
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
(1978), written about the story of the Doctor Dixie Jazz Band marked a turning point for his work. The subject of his movies began coming from his own experience, and his cinema became more nostalgic, introspective, and autobiographic. Moreover, the series was successful and brought Avati to the attention to a wider public compared to his previous films.
Throughout his career, Avati successfully directed and produced many genres of film, including horrors, medieval period pieces, dramas, jazz comedies, buddy comedies
Buddy film
The buddy film is a film genre in which two people of the same sex are paired. The two often contrast in personality, which creates a different dynamic onscreen than a pairing of two people of the opposite sex. The contrast is sometimes accentuated by an ethnic difference between the two...
, biopics and others, proving himself to be a versatile director.
During his career as a director, screenwriter, and producer, Avati was nominated for the Golden Palm
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
, Silver Ribbon
Nastro d'Argento
The Nastro d'Argento is a movie award assigned each year, since 1946, for cinematic performances and production by Sindacato Nazionale dei Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani, the association of Italian film critics...
s, David di Donatello Awards, and many others. He won two David di Donatello Awards and five Silver Ribbons.
Avati was nominated Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana
Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
on June 2, 1995.
He has presided over the Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
Foundation, created in 1995, in memory of the great director of Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
.
In 2008, Avati published his autobiography, Sotto le stelle di un film, edited by Il Margine. Inspired by the autobiography of the director, in 2010, Claudio Costa made a documentary film of interviews and animations, called Pupi Avati, ieri oggi domani ("Pupi Avati, yesterday today tomorrow").
Works
He started his career in the movies with two grotesque comical horror movies with surreal plots. The first was Balsamus, l'uomo di Satana (Blood Relations - "The Man of Satan") in 1968, one of the few films where the screenplay was not written by Avati. This film was followed a year later by Thomas e gli indemoniati (Thomas and the Bewitched, 1969), but it was never released in Italy.In 1974, Avati made the bizarre La mazurka del barone, della santa e del fico fiorone (The Mazurka of the Baron, the Saint and the Early Fig Tree), a movie with an almost fairy-tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
-like atmosphere in a style reminiscent of the movies of Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
. In 1975, his musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, Bordella (House of Pleasure for Women), caused a commotion resulting in some censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
.
In 1976, Avati directed the horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
, La casa dalle finestre che ridono ("House of Laughing Windows"), set in the Po Valley
Po River
The Po |Ligurian]]: Bodincus or Bodencus) is a river that flows either or – considering the length of the Maira, a right bank tributary – eastward across northern Italy, from a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face...
in Emilia–Romagna, which was appreciated by lovers of this genre. This movie was followed by Tutti defunti... tranne i morti (1977), a black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
with a similar theme but written in a parodistic
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
and farcical way.
Avati also directed several films and series for television. The previously mentioned Jazz Band
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
was broadcasted on RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
TV in 1978, followed by Cinema!!! in 1979, Dancing Paradise in 1982, Accadde a Bologna in 1983, and È proibito ballare in 1989.
In 1980, he wrote the screenplay for Macabro (Frozen Terror, or Macabre), the first movie directed by Lamberto Bava
Lamberto Bava
Lamberto Bava is an Italian film director, specializing in horror and fantasy films.Bava was born in Rome, Italy, the son of cinematographer/director Mario Bava, and grandson of cameraman Eugenio Bava...
. This film was also produced by Avati.
In 1983, Avati directed the comedy, Una gita scolastica (A School Outing), and then another thriller-horror, Zeder
Zeder
Zeder is a 1983 Italian horror film directed by Pupi Avati, starring Gabriele Lavia. The story is about a young novelist's discovery of the writings of a late scientist who had found a means of reviving the dead.-Plot:...
, which was considered one of his best films in the genre. After Impiegati (1984), he made Regalo di Natale (Christmas Present, 1986), starring Diego Abatantuono
Diego Abatantuono
Diego Abatantuono is an Italian cinema and theatre actor, as well screenwriter.-Biography and career:Abatantuono was born in a popular quarter of the city to a father of Pugliese origin and a mother from Como...
in his first dramatic role. The sequel of this film was released in 2004 and titled Rivincita di Natale (Christmas Rematch).
His career continued in 1989 with Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze (The Story of Boys and Girls), which awarded him the Nastro d'Argento
Nastro d'Argento
The Nastro d'Argento is a movie award assigned each year, since 1946, for cinematic performances and production by Sindacato Nazionale dei Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani, the association of Italian film critics...
for Best Director and Script in 1990. Following that, he made the biopic, Bix
Bix (film)
Bix is a 1991 Italian drama film about the final years of cornet player Bix Beiderbecke. It was directed by Pupi Avati and was entered into the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:...
in 1991, Magnificat
Magnificat (film)
Magnificat is a 1993 Italian drama film directed by Pupi Avati. It was entered into the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Luigi Diberti - Lord of Malfole* Arnaldo Ninchi - Folco* Massimo Bellinzoni - Baino* Dalia Lahav - Rozal...
in 1993, the thriller L'amico d'infanzia (The Childhood Friend) in 1994, and the horror L'arcano incantatore (The Mysterious Enchanter} in 1996 with Stefano Dionisi.
In 1995, he wrote the screenplay of the RAI TV miniseries, Voci notturne, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti.
In 1998, Avati filmed Il testimone dello sposo (The Best Man), followed by La via degli angeli (A Midsummer Night's Dance) in 1999 and I cavalieri che fecero l'impresa (The Knights of the Quest) in 2001. Two years later he directed the sentimental comedy Il cuore altrove
Incantato
Incantato is a 2003 Italian drama film directed by Pupi Avati. It was entered into the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Neri Marcorè - Nello* Vanessa Incontrada - Angela* Giancarlo Giannini - Cesare* Nino D'Angelo - Domenico* Sandra Milo - Arabella...
(The Heart Is Elsewhere) with Neri Marcorè and Vanessa Incontrada in the role of a young blind woman. The film was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, and he received the David di Donatello Award for the Best Director.
In 2005, he directed Vittoria Puccini
Vittoria Puccini
Vittoria Puccini is an Italian film and television actress.Puccini is perhaps best known for playing a lead role in 2003 in the Italian soap opera Elisa di Rivombrosa...
, Paolo Briguglia, and Claudio Santamaria
Claudio Santamaria
Claudio Santamaria is an Italian actor best known for portraying the terrorist Carlos in Casino Royale 2006....
in the romantic comedy Ma quando arrivano le ragazze?. In the same year he directed Antonio Albanese
Antonio Albanese
Antonio Albanese is an Italian comedian, actor, director and writer.Born in Lombardy to Sicilian parents, he studied at the Civic Drama School in Milan, then opted to pursue an acting career. His first experiences as a comedian date back to 1992, when he made his debut at the Zelig Theatre in Milan...
, Katia Ricciarelli
Katia Ricciarelli
-Biography:Born at Rovigo, Veneto, to a very poor family, she struggled during her younger years when she studied music.She studied at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice, won several vocal competitions in 1968, and made her professional debut as Mimì in La bohème in Mantua in 1969,...
, and again Neri Marcorè in La seconda notte di nozze. In 2007, Diego Abatantuono, Francesca Neri
Francesca Neri
Francesca Neri is an Italian actress.Neri was born in Trento, she has twice received the Silver Ribbon Award for Best Actress from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists, for Pensavo fosse amore invece era un calesse, directed by Massimo Troisi and Carne trémula .She has also...
, Ines Sastre
Inés Sastre
Inés Sastre is a Spanish model and actress.-Early life:Sastre's career started at the age of 12, when she was selected for a fast-food commercial with McDonald's. Her first movie appearance occurred in 1988 in El Dorado by Carlos Saura. In 1989, she was awarded the look of the year by the Elite...
, Vanessa Incontrada, and Violante Placido
Violante Placido
Violante Placido is an Italian actress and singer. She is the daughter of actor-director Michele Placido and actress Simonetta Stefanelli.-Film:...
acted in Avati's film, La cena per farli conoscere, while Laura Morante
Laura Morante
Laura Morante is an Italian film actress.She was born in Santa Fiora, province of Grosseto , and is the niece of renowned Italian novelist Elsa Morante.-Career:...
acted as an Italian woman who takes over a disturbing building in Davenport, Iowa, in the horror, Il nascondiglio (The Hideout).
In 2008, Avati directed Il papà di Giovanna (Giovanna's Father), followed by Gli amici del bar Margherita (The Friends at Margherita Café) in 2009. Next, he directed Il figlio più piccolo ("The Youngest Son") in 2010 and Una sconfinata giovinezza ("A Boundless Youth") in 2011.
Films Directed
- Balsamus l'uomo di Satana (Blood Relations, 1968)
- Thomas e gli indemoniati (Thomas and the Bewitched, 1969)
- La mazurka del barone, della santa e del fico fiorone (The Mazurka of the Baron, the Saint and the Early Fig Tree, 1974)
- Bordella (House of Pleasure for Women, 1976)
- La casa dalle finestre che ridono (The House with Laughing WindowsThe House with Laughing WindowsThe House with Laughing Windows is a 1976 Italian mystery-horror film co-written and directed by Pupi Avati. The movie was filmed in Lido degli Scacchi, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy...
, 1976) - Tutti defunti... tranne i morti (1977)
- Le strelle nel fosso (1979)
- Aiutami a sognare (Help Me Dream, 1981)
- ZederZederZeder is a 1983 Italian horror film directed by Pupi Avati, starring Gabriele Lavia. The story is about a young novelist's discovery of the writings of a late scientist who had found a means of reviving the dead.-Plot:...
(1983) - Una gita scolastica (A School Outing, 1983)
- Noi tre (We Three, 1984)
- Impiegati (1984)
- Festa di laurea (Graduation Party, 1985)
- Regalo di Natale (Christmas Present, 1986)
- Ultimo minuto (The Last Minute, 1987)
- Sposi (Bride and Groom, 1987, first segment)
- Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze (The Story of Boys and Girls, 1989)
- BixBix (film)Bix is a 1991 Italian drama film about the final years of cornet player Bix Beiderbecke. It was directed by Pupi Avati and was entered into the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:...
(1991) - Fratelli e sorelle (Brothers and Sisters, 1991)
- MagnificatMagnificat (film)Magnificat is a 1993 Italian drama film directed by Pupi Avati. It was entered into the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Luigi Diberti - Lord of Malfole* Arnaldo Ninchi - Folco* Massimo Bellinzoni - Baino* Dalia Lahav - Rozal...
(1993) - L'amico d'infanzia (The Childhood Friend, 1994)
- Dichiarazioni d'amore (Declarations of Love, 1994)
- Festival (1996)
- L'arcano incantatore (The Mysterious Enchanter, 1996)
- Il testimone dello sposo (The Best Man, 1998)
- La via degli angeli (A Midsummer Night's Dance, 1999)
- I cavalieri che fecero l'impresa (The Knights of the Quest, 2001)
- Il cuore altroveIncantatoIncantato is a 2003 Italian drama film directed by Pupi Avati. It was entered into the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Neri Marcorè - Nello* Vanessa Incontrada - Angela* Giancarlo Giannini - Cesare* Nino D'Angelo - Domenico* Sandra Milo - Arabella...
(The Heart Is Elsewhere, also known as The Heart Is Everywhere, 2003) - La rivincita di Natale (Christmas Rematch, 2004)
- Ma quando arrivano le ragazze? (2005)
- La seconda notte di nozze (2005)
- La cena per farli conoscere (2007)
- Il nascondiglio (The Hideout, 2007)
- Il papà di Giovanna (Giovanna's Father, 2008)
- Gli amici del bar Margherita (The Friends at Margherita Café, 2009)
- Il figlio più piccolo ("The youngest son", 2010)
- Una sconfinata giovinezza ("A boundless youth", 2011)
TV productions
- Jazz Band (1978)
- Cinema!!! (1979)
- Dancing Paradise (1982)
- Accadde a Bologna (1983)
- È proibito ballare (1989)
Written Screenplays
- Thomas e gli indemoniati (Thomas and the Bewitched, 1970)
- Il Bacio (The Kiss, 1974, directed by Mario LanfranchiMario LanfranchiMario Lanfranchi is an Italian film director and producer, of both television and film. He was married to Italian-American soprano Anna Moffo.Born in Parma, he studied at the Accademia dei Filodrammatici in Milan...
) - La mazurka del barone, della santa e del fico fiorone (1975)
- Cav. Costante Nicosia demoniaco, ovvero: Dracula della Brianza (Dracula in the Provinces, 1975, directed by Lucio FulciLucio FulciLucio Fulci was an Italian film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is perhaps best known for his directorial work on gore films, including Zombie and The Beyond , although he made films in genres as diverse as giallo, western, and comedy...
) - Bordella (House of Pleasure for Women, 1976)
- La casa dalle finestre che ridono (The House with Laughing WindowsThe House with Laughing WindowsThe House with Laughing Windows is a 1976 Italian mystery-horror film co-written and directed by Pupi Avati. The movie was filmed in Lido degli Scacchi, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy...
, 1976) - Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, 1976, uncredited, directed by Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, writer, and intellectual. Pasolini distinguished himself as a poet, journalist, philosopher, linguist, novelist, playwright, filmmaker, newspaper and magazine columnist, actor, painter and political figure...
) - La padrona è servita (The Boss is Served, 1976, directed by Mario LanfranchiMario LanfranchiMario Lanfranchi is an Italian film director and producer, of both television and film. He was married to Italian-American soprano Anna Moffo.Born in Parma, he studied at the Accademia dei Filodrammatici in Milan...
) - Tutti defunti... tranne i morti (1977)
- Le strelle nel fosso (1979)
- Macabro (Frozen Terror, also known as Macabre, 1980, directed by Lamberto BavaLamberto BavaLamberto Bava is an Italian film director, specializing in horror and fantasy films.Bava was born in Rome, Italy, the son of cinematographer/director Mario Bava, and grandson of cameraman Eugenio Bava...
) - Aiutami a sognare (Help Me Dream, 1981)
- Dancing Paradise (1982)
- Zeder (1983)
- Una gita scolastica (A School Outing, 1983)
- Noi tre (We Three, 1984)
- Impiegati (1984)
- Festa di laurea (Graduation Party, 1985)
- Regalo di Natale (Christmas Present, 1986)
- Ultimo minuto (The Last Minute, 1987)
- Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze (The Story of Boys and Girls, 1989)
- Bix (1991)
- Fratelli e sorelle (Brothers and Sisters, 1991)
- Dove comincia la notte (1991, directed by Maurizio Zaccaro)
- Magnificat (1993)
- Dichiarazioni d'amore (Declarations of Love, 1994)
- L'amico d'infanzia (The Childhood Friend, 1994)
- La stanza accanto (Bitter Chamber, also known as The Room Next Door, 1994, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti)
- Voci notturne (TV serial, 1995, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti)
- Festival (1996)
- L'arcano incantatore (The Mysterious Enchanter, 1996)
- Il testimone dello sposo (The Best Man, 1998)
- La via degli angeli (A Midsummer Night's Dance, 1999)
- I cavalieri che fecero l'impresa (The Knights of the Quest, 2001)
- Il cuore altrove (The Heart Is Elsewhere, also known as The Heart Is Everywhere, 2003)
- La rivincita di Natale (Christmas Rematch, 2004)
- Ma quando arrivano le ragazze? (2005)
- La cena per farli conoscere (2007)
- Il nascondiglio (The Hideout, 2007)
- Il papà di Giovanna (Giovanna's Father, 2008)
- Gli amici del bar Margherita (The Friends at Margherita Café, 2009)
- Il figlio più piccolo (2010)
- Una sconfinata giovinezza (2011)
Titles Produced
- Aiutami a sognare (1981)
- Sposi (1987)
- Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze (1989)
- Bix (1991)
- Io e il re (1996, directed by Lucio Gaudino)
- Il Sindaco (The Mayor, 1996, directed by Ugo Fabrizio Giordani)
- Caro domani (1999, directed by Mariantonio Avati, TV series)
- La prima volta (2000, directed by Massimo Martella)
- Gli amici del bar Margherita (2009)
Awards and nominations
Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
- 1991: Golden Palm1991 Cannes Film Festival- Jury :*Roman Polanski *Férid Boughedir *Whoopi Goldberg *Margaret Menegoz *Natalia Negoda *Alan Parker *Jean-Paul Rappeneau *Hans Dieter Seidel *Vittorio Storaro...
(Bix, nominated) - 1993: Golden Palm1993 Cannes Film Festival- Jury :* Louis Malle * Claudia Cardinale * Inna Churikova * Judy Davis * Abbas Kiarostami * Emir Kusturica * William Lubtchansky * Tom Luddy * Gary Oldman * Augusto M...
(Magnificat, nominated) - 2003: Golden Palm2003 Cannes Film FestivalThe 2003 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Elephant by Gus Van Sant.-Jury:* Patrice Chéreau, President * Aishwarya Rai * Meg Ryan * Karin Viard...
(Il cuore altrove, nominated)
David di Donatello Awards
- 1990: Best DirectorDavid di Donatello for Best Director-1965:*Francesco Rosi - Il momento della verità *Vittorio De Sica - Matrimonio all'italiana -1966:*Alessandro Blasetti - Io, io, io...e gli altri...
(Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze, nominated) - 1990: Best FilmDavid di Donatello for Best Film-1970:*Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto, by Elio Petri *Metello, by Mauro Bolognini -1971:*The Conformist , by Bernardo Bertolucci...
(Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze, nominated) - 1990: Best ScriptDavid di Donatello for Best Script-1976:*Alberto Bevilacqua & Nino Manfredi - Attenti al buffone-1977:*Leo Benvenuti & Piero De Bernardi - La stanza del vescovo-1981:*Tonino Guerra & Francesco Rosi - Tre fratelli-1982:...
(Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze, won) - 1995: David "Luchino Visconti" Award
- 2003: Best DirectorDavid di Donatello for Best Director-1965:*Francesco Rosi - Il momento della verità *Vittorio De Sica - Matrimonio all'italiana -1966:*Alessandro Blasetti - Io, io, io...e gli altri...
(Il cuore altrove, won) - 2004: Best DirectorDavid di Donatello for Best Director-1965:*Francesco Rosi - Il momento della verità *Vittorio De Sica - Matrimonio all'italiana -1966:*Alessandro Blasetti - Io, io, io...e gli altri...
(La rivincita di Natale, nominated) - 2009: Best DirectorDavid di Donatello for Best Director-1965:*Francesco Rosi - Il momento della verità *Vittorio De Sica - Matrimonio all'italiana -1966:*Alessandro Blasetti - Io, io, io...e gli altri...
(Il papà di Giovanna, nominated) - 2009: Best ProducerDavid di Donatello for Best Producer-1956:*Angelo Rizzoli - Le grandi manovre *Goffredo Lombardo - Pane amore e... *Nicolò Theodoli - Racconti romani *Angelo Rizzoli - Le grandi manovre...
(Il papà di Giovanna, nominated)
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists – Silver Ribbon
Nastro d'Argento
The Nastro d'Argento is a movie award assigned each year, since 1946, for cinematic performances and production by Sindacato Nazionale dei Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani, the association of Italian film critics...
- 1984: Best DirectorNastro d'Argento Best DirectorA list of Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Director.*1946 - Roberto Rossellini - Rome, Open City*1947 - Roberto Rossellini - Paisà*1948 - Pietro Germi - Gioventù perduta*1949 - Vittorio De Sica - Bicycle Thieves...
(Una gita scolastica, won) - 1984: Best Story (Una gita scolastica, won)
- 1990: Best DirectorNastro d'Argento Best DirectorA list of Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Director.*1946 - Roberto Rossellini - Rome, Open City*1947 - Roberto Rossellini - Paisà*1948 - Pietro Germi - Gioventù perduta*1949 - Vittorio De Sica - Bicycle Thieves...
(Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze, won) - 1990: Best Screenplay (Storia di ragazzi e di ragazze, won)
- 1997: Best ProducerNastro d'Argento Best ProducerA list of Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Producer.*1954 - Peg Film - I Vitelloni*1955 - Dino De Laurentiis - La Strada*1956 - Cines - Amici per la pelle*1957 - De Laurentiis - Il ferrovierre...
(Festival, won) - 2000: Best Screenplay (La via degli angeli, nominated)
- 2003: Best DirectorNastro d'Argento Best DirectorA list of Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Director.*1946 - Roberto Rossellini - Rome, Open City*1947 - Roberto Rossellini - Paisà*1948 - Pietro Germi - Gioventù perduta*1949 - Vittorio De Sica - Bicycle Thieves...
(Il cuore altrove, nominated) - 2003: Best Original Story (Il cuore altrove, nominated)
Venice Film Festival
- 2008: Little Golden Lion (Il papà di Giovanna, won)
- 2008: Golden Lion (Il papà di Giovanna, nominated)
Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
- 1998: Golden Berlin Bear (Il testimone dello sposo, nominated)
Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film
Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film
The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival , previously named Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film was created in 1983 as a venue for horror, thriller and science fiction films. It takes place in Brussels, every year in March...
- 1998: Silver Raven (L'arcano incantatore, won)
Fantafestival
Fantafestival
Fantafestival is a film festival devoted to fantasy film that is held annually in Italy from 1981....
- 1985: Special Award 'FantaItaly' (won)
Fantasporto
Fantasporto
Fantasporto, also known as Fantas, is an international film festival, annually organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal. Giving screen space to commercial feature films, auteur films and experimental projects from all over the world, Fantasporto has created enthusiastic audiences, ranging from...
- 1983: International Film Festival Award (La casa dalle finestre che ridono, nominated)
Istanbul International Film Festival
Istanbul International Film Festival
The Istanbul International Film Festival is the first and oldest international film festival in Turkey, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts , a non-profit organisation. It is held every year in April in movie theaters in Istanbul, Turkey...
- 1986: Special Prize of the Jury (Noi tre, won)
Montreal World Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival , founded in 1977, is one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF...
- 2000: Best Screenplay (La via degli angeli, won)
- 2000: Grand Prix des Amériques (La via degli angeli, won)
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival , or PiFan, is an international film festival held annually in July in Bucheon, South Korea...
- 1998: Jury's Choice Award (L'arcano incantatore, won)
Sannio Film Fest – Capitelli d'oro
- 2009: Silver Raven (Il papà di Giovanna, nominated)
Valladolid International Film Festival
Seminci
Valladolid International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Valladolid, Spain since 1956....
- 1979: Golden Spike (Le strelle nel fosso, won)
See also
- List of movie awards
- Fantasy filmFantasy filmFantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
- University of BolognaUniversity of BolognaThe Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
- Lamberto BavaLamberto BavaLamberto Bava is an Italian film director, specializing in horror and fantasy films.Bava was born in Rome, Italy, the son of cinematographer/director Mario Bava, and grandson of cameraman Eugenio Bava...