Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Luigi Comencini

Role / Field:

Master director of 'commedia all'italiana', known for neorealism and Italian satire.

Born:

1916-06-08

Died:

2007-04-06

Century / Era:

1916s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Luigi Comencini (Italian: [luˈiːdʒi komenˈtʃiːni]; 8 June 1916 – 6 April 2007) was an Italian film director. Together with Dino Risi, Ettore Scola, and Mario Monicelli, he was considered among the masters of the "commedia all'italiana" genre. His daughters Cristina and Francesca are both film directors. His first successful film was The Emperor of Capri, featuring Totò.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Comencini's 1953 Bread, Love and Dreams, with Vittorio De Sica and Gina Lollobrigida, is considered a primary example of neorealismo rosa (pink neorealism). It was followed by Bread, Love and Jealousy. After first directing Alberto Sordi in The Belle of Rome (1955), Comencini again worked with Sordi in what is considered his masterwork, Everybody Go Home, a bitter comedy about Italy after the armistice of 1943. The film won the Special Golden Prize at the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival. Also set in World War II, but devoted to the Italian partisans, is Bébo's Girl (1963).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This was followed by Misunderstood (1966, based on the English novel by Florence Montgomery). Comencini obtained an outstanding success with what is ranked amongst the best productions of Italian television, The Adventures of...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1916 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1916
• June 8 (06-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 8
• 2007 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2007
• April 6 (04-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Luigi Comencini