Dino Risi (23 December 1916 – 7 June 2008) was an Italian

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

. With

Mario Monicelli Mario Alberto Ettore Monicelli (; 16 May 1915 – 29 November 2010) was an Italian film director and screenwriter and one of the masters of the ''Commedia all'Italiana'' (Comedy Italian style). He was nominated six times for an Oscar, and was awa ...

Luigi Comencini Luigi Comencini (; 8 June 1916 – 6 April 2007)
''The Guardian'' was an Italian

Nanni Loy Nanni Loy (born Giovanni Loi; 23 October 1925 – 21 August 1995) was an Italian film, theatre and TV director. Specifically, Nanni Loy was Sardinian, and one of several notable Sardinian film makers, including Franco Solinas. Biography Lo ...

and Ettore Scola, he was one of the masters of ''

commedia all'italiana Commedia all'italiana (, pl. Commedie all'italiana, "Comedy in the Italian way") or Italian-style comedy is an Italian film genre born in Italy in the 1950s and developed in the 1960s and 1970s. It is widely considered to have started with Mari ...

''.

Biography

Risi was born in

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...

. He had an older brother, Fernando, a cinematographer, and a younger brother,

Nelo Nelo (MAR Kayaks Ltda) is a Portuguese company that designs and manufactures kayaks and canoes for racing, touring, fitness, sea racing, paracanoe, surfski, and slalom. It is currently the most successful brand in the sport, attested by the n ...

(1920–2015), a director and writer. At the age of twelve, Risi became an

orphan An orphan (from the el, ορφανός, orphanós) is a child whose parents have died. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents due to death is called an orphan. When referring to animals, only the mother's condition is usuall ...

and was looked after by relatives and friends of his family.Italian director Dino Risi dies
BBC.co.uk; accessed 19 November 2015. He studied medicine but refused to become a

psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians and evaluate patients to determine whether their sy ...

, as his parents wished Risi started his career in

cinema Cinema may refer to: Film * Cinematography, the art of motion-picture photography * Film or movie, a series of still images that create the illusion of a moving image ** Film industry, the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking ...

as an assistant director to cinema figures such as

Mario Soldati Mario Soldati (17 November 1906 – 19 June 1999) was an cinema of Italy, Italian writer and film director. In 1954 he won the Strega Prize for ''Lettere da Capri.'' He directed several works adapted from novels, and worked with leading Ital ...

and

Alberto Lattuada Alberto Lattuada (; 13 November 1914 – 3 July 2005) was an Italian film director. Career Lattuada was born in Vaprio d'Adda, the son of composer Felice Lattuada. He was initially interested in literature, becoming, while still a student, a mem ...

. Later he began directing his own films and was credited with giving early opportunities to future acting stars such as

Sophia Loren Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone (; born 20 September 1934), known professionally as Sophia Loren ( , ), is an Italian actress. She was named by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest female stars of Classical Hollywood ci ...

and

Vittorio Gassman Vittorio Gassman (; born Gassmann; 1 September 1922 – 29 June 2000), popularly known as , was an Italian actor, director and screenwriter. He is considered one of the greatest Italian actors, whose career includes both important productions ...

. His 1966 film ''

Treasure of San Gennaro ''Treasure of San Gennaro'' ( it, Operazione San Gennaro) is a 1966 Italian comedy film starring Nino Manfredi, Senta Berger, Totò and Claudine Auger. It is directed by Dino Risi and is a funny classic story of a perfect robbery plan gone wrong in ...

'' was entered into the

5th Moscow International Film Festival The 5th Moscow International Film Festival was held from 5 to 20 July 1967. The Grand Prix was shared between the Soviet film '' The Journalist'', directed by Sergei Gerasimov and the Hungarian film ''Father'', directed by István Szabó. The fe ...

where it won a Silver Prize. His biggest hits were '' Poor, But Handsome'' (''Poveri ma belli''), followed by two sequels, which he also directed; ''

A Difficult Life ''A Difficult Life'' (Italian: ''Una vita difficile'') is a ''Commedia all'italiana'' or Italian-style comedy film directed by Dino Risi in 1961. The film was included on the 100 Italian Films To Be Saved ( 100 film italiani da salvare). Plot T ...

'' (''Una vita difficile''); ''

The Easy Life ''Il sorpasso'' (, occasionally titled ''The Easy Life'') is a 1962 Italian cult comedy film co-written and directed by Dino Risi and starring Vittorio Gassman, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Catherine Spaak. It is considered Risi's masterpiece and ...

'' (''Il sorpasso''); '' Opiate '67'' or, in a cut version, '' 15 From Rome'' (''I Mostri''); and '' Scent of a Woman'' (''Profumo di Donna''), which was remade by

Martin Brest Martin Brest (born August 8, 1951) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. Education Brest was born in the Bronx, New York, and graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1969, from New York University's School of the Arts in ...

starring

Al Pacino Alfredo James Pacino (; ; born April 25, 1940) is an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he has received numerous accolades: including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy ...

in 1992. In 2002, he was awarded the Golden Lion – Honorary Award (Leone d'oro alla carriera) at the

Venice Film Festival The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival ( it, Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale") is an annual film festival he ...

for his life-time work. Two of his films, ''

Il giovedì ''The Thursday'' ( it, Il giovedì) is a 1963 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Walter Chiari as Dino Versini * Michèle M ...

'' and ''

Il commissario Lo Gatto ''Il commissario Lo Gatto'' () is a 1987 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Lino Banfi as Commissario Natale Lo Gatto * Mau ...

'', were shown in a retrospective section on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. He died on 7 June 2008 at his residence in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

. He was 91 and was survived by two children, Claudio (1948-2020) and

Marco Risi Marco Risi (born 4 June 1951) is an Italian film director, screenwriter, film producer and cinematographer. Born in Milan, he is son of director Dino Risi. After graduating from Liceo Scientifico, Risi joined the faculty of philosophy, but aband ...

(1951), both film directors.

Filmography

*''Verso la vita'' (1946) *''Tigullio minore'' (1947) *''1848'' (1948) * ''

Songs in the Streets ''Songs in the Streets'' (Italian: ''Canzoni per le strade'') is a 1950 Italian musical melodrama film directed by Mario Landi and starring Luciano Tajoli, Antonella Lualdi and Carlo Ninchi.Chiti & Poppi p.80 Cast * Luciano Taioli as Luciano ...

'' (1950) * ''

Vacation with a Gangster ''Vacation with a Gangster'' (Italian: ''Vacanze col gangster'') is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi and starring Marc Lawrence, Giovanna Pala and Terence Hill. The film's art direction was by Flavio Mogherini. Plot A man sente ...

'' (1952) *''

Il viale della speranza ''Il viale della speranza'' (English: ''The street of hope'') is a 1953 Italian drama film directed by Dino Risi. It grossed over 100 million lire at the Italian box office. Cast *Cosetta Greco as Luisa Guglielmi *Liliana Bonfatti as Giuditta ...

'' (1953) *'' L'amore in città'' (episode "Paradiso per 4 ore", 1953) *''

Il segno di Venere ''The Sign of Venus'' ( it, Il segno di Venere) is a 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi and starring Sophia Loren. It was entered into the 1955 Cannes Film Festival. Plot The story revolves around an attractive woman named Agnese (Lor ...

'' (1955) *'' Pane, amore e...'' (1955) *''

Poveri ma belli ''Poveri ma belli'' (U.S. title: ''Poor, But Handsome''; U.K. title: ''A Girl in Bikini'') is a successful 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. There have been two sequels, also directed by Risi and starring Marisa Allasio, Maurizio ...

'' (1956) *'' La nonna Sabella'' (1957) *'' Belle ma povere'' (1957) *'' Venezia, la luna e tu'' (1959) *''

Il vedovo ''Il Vedovo'' (The Widower) is a 1959 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. Plot Alberto Nardi (Alberto Sordi) is a Roman businessman who fancies himself a man of great capabilities, but whose factory (producing lifts and elevators) teete ...

'' (1959) *''

Poveri milionari ''Poveri milionari'' (internationally released as ''Poor Millionaires'') is a 1959 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. It is the final chapter in the trilogy started with ''Poveri ma belli''.Paolo D'Agostini, ''Dino Risi'', Editrice Il casto ...

'' (1959) *'' Il mattatore'' (1959) *'' Un amore a Roma'' (1960) *'' A porte chiuse'' (1961) *''

'' (''Una vita difficile'', 1961) *''

'' (''Il sorpasso'', 1962) *''

March on Rome The March on Rome ( it, Marcia su Roma) was an organized mass demonstration and a coup d'état in October 1922 which resulted in Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party (PNF) ascending to power in the Kingdom of Italy. In late October 1922, ...

'' (''La marcia su Roma'', 1962) *''

'' (1963) *''

I mostri ''I mostri'' (also known as ''Opiate '67'' or, in a cut version, ''15 from Rome'') is a 1963 commedia all'italiana film by Italian director Dino Risi. It was coproduced with France. The film was a huge success in Italy. It was censored in Spain. ...

'' (1963) *''

Le bambole ''Le bambole'' (U.S. title: ''The Dolls'', UK title: ''Four Kinds of Love'') is a 1965 Italian comedy film in four segments; starring Nino Manfredi, Virna Lisi, Elke Sommer, and Mario Montuori. The four vignettes—The Telephone Call (La telef ...

'' (episode "La telefonata", 1965) *'' Il Gaucho'' (1965) *''

I complessi ''I complessi'' is a 1965 commedia all'italiana anthology film consisting of three episodes. Cast ;''Una giornata decisiva'' *Nino Manfredi: Quirino Raganelli *Ilaria Occhini: Gabriella * Riccardo Garrone: Alvaro Morandini *Umberto D'Orsi: ...

'' (episode "Una giornata decisiva", 1965) *'' L'ombrellone'' (1966) *'' I nostri mariti'' (episode "Il marito di Attilia", 1966) *'' Operazione San Gennaro'' (1966) *''

Il Tigre ''Il Tigre'', internationally released as ''The Tiger and the Pussycat'', is a 1967 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. For his performance, Vittorio Gassman won the David di Donatello for best actor; the film also won the David di Donatel ...

'' (1967) *'' Straziami, ma di baci saziami'' (1968) *'' Il profeta'' (1968) *'' Vedo nudo'' (1969) *'' Il giovane normale'' (1969) *''

In nome del popolo italiano ''In the Name of the Italian People'' ( it, In nome del popolo italiano) is a List of Italian films of 1971, 1971 Cinema of Italy, Italian comedy film, comedy-drama film directed by Dino Risi. It represents a reflection about the crisis of the Ital ...

'' (1971) *'' La moglie del prete'' (1971) *'' Noi donne siamo fatte così'' (1971) *'' Mordi e fuggi'' (1973) *'' Sessomatto'' (1973) *''

Profumo di donna ''Scent of a Woman'' ( it, Profumo di donna) is a 1974 Commedia all'italiana film directed by Dino Risi, based on ''Il buio e il miele'', a story by Giovanni Arpino. Both Risi and the leading actor Vittorio Gassman won important Italian and Frenc ...

'' (1974) *''

The Career of a Chambermaid ''Telefoni bianchi'' (''White Telephones'', internationally released as ''The Career of a Chambermaid'') is a 1976 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. For this film Agostina Belli was awarded with a Special David di Donatello for her perf ...

'' (1976) *''

Anima persa ''The Forbidden Room'' ( it, Anima persa) is a 1977 thriller film directed by Dino Risi. It is based on the novel '' Un'anima persa'' by Giovanni Arpino. The film was co-production between Italy and France by Dean Film and Les Productions Fox Eur ...

'' (1977) *''

La stanza del vescovo LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figur ...

'' (1977) *''

I nuovi mostri ''I nuovi mostri'' (English-language version: ''Viva l'Italia!''; meaning of Italian original title: "The new monsters") is a 1977 commedia all'italiana film composed by 14 episodes, directed by Dino Risi, Ettore Scola and Mario Monicelli. It is ...

'' (episodes "Con i saluti degli amici", "Tantum ergo", "Pornodiva", "Mammina mammona" and "Senza parole", 1978) *'' Primo amore'' (1978) *'' Caro papà'' (1979) *'' Sono fotogenico'' (1980) *'' Sunday Lovers/I seduttori della domenica'' (episode "Roma", 1980) *''

Fantasma d'amore ''Fantasma d'amore'' () is a 1981 drama film directed by Dino Risi that stars Romy Schneider and Marcello Mastroianni. Plot Nino, a married tax accountant, sees on a bus Anna, the woman he loved 20 years ago, now poor and ill. After he gives h ...

'' (1981) *''

Sesso e volentieri ''Sesso e volentieri'' is a 1982 Italian anthology-comedy film directed by Dino Risi. The film consists in ten segments, all starred by Johnny Dorelli and all having sex and sexual perversions as main theme.Paolo D'Agostini, ''Dino Risi'', Editri ...

'' (1982) *''...e la vita continua'' (TV, 1984) *''

Dagobert Dagobert or Taginbert is a Germanic male given name, possibly from Old Frankish ''Dag'' "day" and ''beraht'' "bright". Alternatively, it has been identified as Gaulish ''dago'' "good" ''berxto'' "bright". Animals * Roi Dagobert (born 1964), t ...

'' (1984) *'' Scemo di guerra'' (1985) *''

Teresa Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or re ...

'' (1987) *''

'' (1987) *'' Il vizio di vivere'' (TV, 1989) *''

Tolgo il disturbo ''Tolgo il disturbo'', internationally released as ''I'll Be Going Now'', is a 1990 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Dino Risi.Paolo D'Agostini, ''Dino Risi'', Editrice Il castoro, 1995 Plot Augusto Scribani is an old retired, cultured and ...

'' (1990) *''

Vita coi figli ''Vita coi figli'' is a 1991 Cinema of Italy, Italian television miniseries directed by Dino Risi and broadcast by Canale 5. The two-episode made-for-television film was released in May 1991 and drew 5 million viewers. ''Vita coi figli'' fe ...

'' (TV, 1990) *''

Giovani e belli ''Giovani e belli'' is a 1996 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi at his last film. It is loosely based on '' Poveri ma belli'', directed by the same Risi in 1957. Plot Gino and Luke are two Roman boys: one's rich, the other is a proletari ...

'' (1996) *''Esercizi di stile'' (episode "Myriam", 1996)

References

External links

*
BBC obituary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Risi, Dino 1916 births 2008 deaths César Award winners Italian film directors Film people from Milan David di Donatello winners Nastro d'Argento winners David di Donatello Career Award winners