Roberto Benigni and his film, Life is Beautiful
Roberto Remigo Benigni, a famous comedian that also directed and acted in a lot of award wining films. He is pretty famous for his cheerful personality. His most popular movie, Life is Beautiful, gained attention across the globe and won countless awards.
Born on 27 October 1952 in Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy. He was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy. Until this very day, he still consider himself as a believer.
In 1971, he starts to gain experience as a theatre actor. Later that year he moved to Rome and took part, including directing some experimental theatre shows. His first theatrical success was with Cioni Mario di Gaspare fu Giulia.
After a few acts and shows, he popularity began to flourish with a TV show, L'altra domenica.
Benigni's first film as a director was Tu mi turbi, also known as You Upset Me or You Disturb Me. Surprisingly, he is also one of the main actor of the film and also he wrote the script for the film. That is a lot of roles in just one film.
He met Nicoletta Braschi on the set of Tu mi turbi. They two soon became husband and wife. She is also a frequent actor in a lot of Benigni's films.
Starting from 1986, Benigni starred in three films by Jim Jarmusch, an American director, Down by Law, Night on Earth and Coffee and Cigarettes. He also starred in other directors' film like Son of the Pink Panthner directed by Blake Edwards and La voce della luna, also known as The voice of The Moon.
He also participated in collaborating with screenwriter Vincenzo Cerami, creating successful films in Italy such as Johnny Stecchino & ll mostro. Also, they did ended up working together to make a film that exploded in popularity, Life is Beautiful.
Spoiler alert below! It is best experience a movie blindly (at least that is how I feel), so if you also feel like that, better enjoy both Life is Beautiful first before continue reading below.
The film brings a nice feeling to the viewers. The main character is always cheerful and positive while the setting is actually quite dull and has a dark story to it. The film can be shorter tho, as there is a lot of fillers in it. The way they fill it isn't bad at all, just the film is too long making the fillers seemed very unnecessary. Better prepare extra popcorn before you watch the film.
Did I mention that the film's main character is Roberto Benigni himself. And as usual, he acted, directed and also wrote the script of the film. He really can take multiple roles at one time with ease. Impressive!
Also, when he met the Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and said, after shaking his hand: "Now I have the Oscar in my hand!". Quite a joke.
But, his career is not all well and successful. Another film from him, Pinocchio was heavily criticized. The famous Rotten Tomatoes online film reviewer even gave it a score of 0% for the film's American release. The Italian release however still received multiple nominations and awards.
Nowadays, he seems to be inactive in the world of cinematography. Too bad he isn't around to make more films or act in films anymore.
He is a comedian, always being cheerful in real life and in the screens. Truth to be told, that kind of personality is really rare and impressive. Combined with his impressive acting skills, writing skills and directing skills, one could say he is one of the most valuable person in the world of films.
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| Roberto Benigni with his cheerful smile. Taken from IMDB |
So who is Roberto Benigni?
Born on 27 October 1952 in Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy. He was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy. Until this very day, he still consider himself as a believer.
In 1971, he starts to gain experience as a theatre actor. Later that year he moved to Rome and took part, including directing some experimental theatre shows. His first theatrical success was with Cioni Mario di Gaspare fu Giulia.
After a few acts and shows, he popularity began to flourish with a TV show, L'altra domenica.
Benigni's first film as a director was Tu mi turbi, also known as You Upset Me or You Disturb Me. Surprisingly, he is also one of the main actor of the film and also he wrote the script for the film. That is a lot of roles in just one film.
He met Nicoletta Braschi on the set of Tu mi turbi. They two soon became husband and wife. She is also a frequent actor in a lot of Benigni's films.
Starting from 1986, Benigni starred in three films by Jim Jarmusch, an American director, Down by Law, Night on Earth and Coffee and Cigarettes. He also starred in other directors' film like Son of the Pink Panthner directed by Blake Edwards and La voce della luna, also known as The voice of The Moon.
He also participated in collaborating with screenwriter Vincenzo Cerami, creating successful films in Italy such as Johnny Stecchino & ll mostro. Also, they did ended up working together to make a film that exploded in popularity, Life is Beautiful.
Spoiler alert below! It is best experience a movie blindly (at least that is how I feel), so if you also feel like that, better enjoy both Life is Beautiful first before continue reading below.
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| Life is Beautiful |
Life is Beautiful
Written by Vincenzo Cerami, filmed in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, this film is about how an Italian Jewish man tried to protect his son's innocence when both of them are in Nazi concentration camp. He made up stories that they are playing a game and need to follow rules to win the game, which the rules are actually fooling his son to hide from the army.The film brings a nice feeling to the viewers. The main character is always cheerful and positive while the setting is actually quite dull and has a dark story to it. The film can be shorter tho, as there is a lot of fillers in it. The way they fill it isn't bad at all, just the film is too long making the fillers seemed very unnecessary. Better prepare extra popcorn before you watch the film.
Did I mention that the film's main character is Roberto Benigni himself. And as usual, he acted, directed and also wrote the script of the film. He really can take multiple roles at one time with ease. Impressive!
Roberto Benigni awards
Life is Beautiful received seven Academy Award nominations. These include Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Dramatic Film and also Best Actor. He is the first actor to win a Best Actor Oscar for a non-English speaking role.Also, when he met the Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and said, after shaking his hand: "Now I have the Oscar in my hand!". Quite a joke.
But, his career is not all well and successful. Another film from him, Pinocchio was heavily criticized. The famous Rotten Tomatoes online film reviewer even gave it a score of 0% for the film's American release. The Italian release however still received multiple nominations and awards.
Nowadays, he seems to be inactive in the world of cinematography. Too bad he isn't around to make more films or act in films anymore.
He is a comedian, always being cheerful in real life and in the screens. Truth to be told, that kind of personality is really rare and impressive. Combined with his impressive acting skills, writing skills and directing skills, one could say he is one of the most valuable person in the world of films.
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