Gabriele Muccino (; born 20 May 1967) is 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 ...
. He has worked his way from making short films only aired on Italian television to become a well-known and successful American filmmaker. He is the elder brother of actor
Silvio Muccino
Silvio Muccino (born 14 April 1982) is an Italian actor, film director and screenwriter.
Biography
Muccino was born in Rome, Italy, on 14 April 1982.
After graduating from a Roman High School dedicated to the arts, he enrolled in the School of ...
, who often appears in his brother's films. Muccino has directed 12 films and is best known for his first American film ''
The Pursuit of Happyness
''The Pursuit of Happyness'' is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Chri ...
'', starring
Will Smith
Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his Will Smith filmography, acting career starring as Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), a ...
. Muccino has been nominated for and won several awards including the
David di Donatello Award for Best Director in 2001 for his film ''
The Last Kiss''.
Life and career
Born 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 ...
, Gabriele Muccino started his studies at
Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome ( it, Sapienza – Università di Roma), also called simply Sapienza or the University of Rome, and formally the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", is a Public university, public research university l ...
in
Italian literature
Italian literature is written in the Italian language, particularly within Italy. It may also refer to literature written by Italians or in other languages spoken in Italy, often languages that are closely related to modern Italian, including ...
but dropped out of University to pursue a career as a director. His first on-set film experience was as a volunteer director's assistant. This inspired his passion for filmmaking and led him to take courses in screenwriting and enroll in a directing program at
Rome's Experimental Cinematography Institute. While there, Muccino created a few short films that were aired on Italian television. He then began directing a number of documentaries.
Following these accomplishments, Muccino was given the opportunity to direct a segment of the Italian
anthology film
An anthology film (also known as an omnibus film, package film, or portmanteau film) is a single film consisting of several shorter films, each complete in itself and distinguished from the other, though frequently tied together by a single theme ...
''Intolerance'' (1996).
''
But Forever in My Mind
''But Forever in My Mind'' ( it, Come te nessuno mai) is a 1999 Italian comedy film directed by Gabriele Muccino. Its original Italian title translates into "Like you, nobody, never"
Plot
The movie is a tale about a young boy aroused by the sex ...
'' was the next film he directed, starring his younger brother
Silvio. Muccino's third feature film, ''
The Last Kiss'', directed in 2001, was the breakthrough that brought him international attention. The film's success led to Muccino signing a two-picture deal with Miramax. His success continued to grow with his next film, ''
Remember Me, My Love
''Remember Me, My Love'' (''Ricordati di me'') is a 2003 Italian movie directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Tagline: ''Some loves are never forgotten''.
Plot
At first glance the Ristuccia family is apparently normal and close-knit, but all of its membe ...
'' in 2003.
He has currently made the switch to directing
Hollywood films
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
after ''The Last Kiss'' won the Audience Award for World Cinema at the 2002
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival (formerly Utah/US Film Festival, then US Film and Video Festival) is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with more than 46,66 ...
bringing him to the attention of the American film industry. Muccino was personally chosen by
Will Smith
Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his Will Smith filmography, acting career starring as Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), a ...
to serve as the director of ''
The Pursuit of Happyness
''The Pursuit of Happyness'' is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Chri ...
''. Muccino said in an interview afterwards, "Will had to defend me as a choice to the studio; I could barely speak English and could barely express my vision. I felt protected and that I could push my ideas even when they weren't totally conventional. The reason I found respect, and respect for my ideas, was because of Will." Muccino also directed Smith's later film ''
Seven Pounds
''Seven Pounds'' is a 2008 American drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino starring actor Will Smith as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper also star. The film was released in ...
''. ''
Playing for Keeps'' was his next major work, starring
Gerard Butler
Gerard James Butler (born 13 November 1969) is a Scottish actor and film producer. After studying law, he turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as '' Mrs Brown'' (1997), the James Bond film '' Tomorrow Never ...
,
Dennis Quaid
Dennis William Quaid (born April 9, 1954) is an American actor known for a wide variety of dramatic and comedic roles. First gaining widespread attention in the late 1970s, some of his notable credits include ''Breaking Away'' (1979), '' The ...
and
Uma Thurman
Uma Karuna Thurman (born April 29, 1970) is an American actress and former model. She has performed in a variety of films, from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action films. Following her appearances on the December 1985 an ...
.
Muccino's next film ''
Fathers and Daughters
''Fathers and Daughters'' is a 2015 U.S.-Italian drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, and Kylie Rogers. It is based on a 2012 script written by Brad Desch, which was included in the 2012 Black Li ...
'' also features A-list celebrities such as
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Michelle Seyfried ( ; born December 3, 1985) is an American actress. Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, she began modeling at age 11 and ventured into acting at 15, with recurring roles as Lucy Montgomery on the CBS soap opera ...
,
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor. He was born in New Zealand, spent ten years of his childhood in Australia, and moved there permanently at age twenty one. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maxi ...
, and
Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul (born Aaron Paul Sturtevant; August 27, 1979) is an American actor best known for portraying Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series '' Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013), for which he won several awards, including the Critics' Choice Television ...
.
One of his latest movies, ''
Summertime'', is a coming of age story of two Italian teenagers traveling to the States for the first time during the summer between high school and college.
Awards and nominations
Muccino has won several awards throughout his lifetime. The first being Best Film at the
Torino International Festival of Young Cinema
The Torino Film Festival (also called the Turin Film Festival, TFF) is an international film festival held annually in Turin, Italy. Held every November, it is the second largest film festival in Italy, following the Venice Film Festival. It was f ...
in 1998 for ''
Ecco fatto
''Ecco fatto'' is a 1998 Italian film directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Plot
Cast
* Giorgio Pasotti: Matteo
* Claudio Santamaria: Piterone
* Barbora Bobuľová: Margherita
* Enrico Silvestrin: Paolo
* Ginevra Colonna: Floriana
* Stefano Abb ...
''. In 1999 his film ''But Forever in My Mind'' won him several awards including the Silver Iris at the
Brussels International Film Festival for best film, the Golden Castle at the Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema, and the OCIC Award at the
Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
The Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFICI, es, Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente) is an international festival of independent films organized each year in the month of April, in the city of ...
. The Italian box office success ''The Last Kiss'' (2001) won Muccino Best Director and Best Screenplay at the
David di Donatello Awards
The David di Donatello Awards, named after Donatello's ''David'', a symbolic statue of the Italian Renaissance, are film awards given out each year by the ''Accademia del Cinema Italiano'' (The Academy of Italian Cinema). There are 26 award cat ...
. This film also earned the Audience Award in 2002 at the
Sundance Festival which introduced Muccino to the United States.
''Remember Me, My Love'' scored three Nastro d'Argento Prizes which are the Italian equivalent to the
Oscars
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
. This film also won Best Director, Best Film, and Best Screenplay at the Donatello Awards in 2003.
* Torino International Festival of Young Cinema: Best Film (1998)
* Brussels International Film Festival: Best Film (1999)
* Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema: Golden Castle (1999)
* Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema: OCIC Award (1999)
* David Di Donatello Award 2001: Best Director and Best Screenplay - ''The Last Kiss''
* Sundance Festival 2002: Audience Award - ''The Last Kiss''
* David Di Donatello Awards 2003: Nominated ad Best Director, Best Film, and Best Screenplay for ''Remember Me, My Love''
* Shanghai Film Festival 2010: ''Kiss Me Again'' - Won as Best film
Filmography
*''
Ecco fatto
''Ecco fatto'' is a 1998 Italian film directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Plot
Cast
* Giorgio Pasotti: Matteo
* Claudio Santamaria: Piterone
* Barbora Bobuľová: Margherita
* Enrico Silvestrin: Paolo
* Ginevra Colonna: Floriana
* Stefano Abb ...
'' (1998)
*''
But Forever in My Mind
''But Forever in My Mind'' ( it, Come te nessuno mai) is a 1999 Italian comedy film directed by Gabriele Muccino. Its original Italian title translates into "Like you, nobody, never"
Plot
The movie is a tale about a young boy aroused by the sex ...
'' (1999)
*''
The Last Kiss'' (2001)
*''
Remember Me, My Love
''Remember Me, My Love'' (''Ricordati di me'') is a 2003 Italian movie directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Tagline: ''Some loves are never forgotten''.
Plot
At first glance the Ristuccia family is apparently normal and close-knit, but all of its membe ...
'' (2003)
*''
The Pursuit of Happyness
''The Pursuit of Happyness'' is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Chri ...
'' (2006)
*''
Seven Pounds
''Seven Pounds'' is a 2008 American drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino starring actor Will Smith as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper also star. The film was released in ...
'' (2008)
*''
Kiss Me Again'' (2010)
*''
Playing for Keeps'' (2012)
*''
Fathers and Daughters
''Fathers and Daughters'' is a 2015 U.S.-Italian drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, and Kylie Rogers. It is based on a 2012 script written by Brad Desch, which was included in the 2012 Black Li ...
'' (2015)
*''
Summertime'' (2016)
*''
There's No Place Like Home'' (2018)
*''
The Best Years
''The Best Years'' is a Canadian drama television series about a group of college students at Charles University, a fictional Ivy League school in Boston, Massachusetts. It stars Charity Shea as Samantha Best, an orphan who lived in the foster ...
'' (2020)
References
*Coyote, S. (2006). Filmed Entirely In San Francisco, Pursuit of Happyness To Premiere As A Benefit For Glide Foundation. Retrieved 1 January 2007, fro
*https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997301.html?categoryid=3482&cs=1
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muccino, Gabriele
1967 births
Living people
Italian film producers
Film directors from Rome
David di Donatello winners
Ciak d'oro winners
Nastro d'Argento winners