Biography of Mario Monicelli

Son of theatre critic and journalist Tommaso, Mario Monicelli obtained his degree in history and philosophy. After embarking on a career as a film critic in 1932, he had the opportunity two years later to co-direct with his friend Alberto Mondadori the short film Cuore rivelatore, followed - again in 1934 - by the medium-length film I ragazzi della via Paal, which was presented at Venice where was included among the award-winning films.
Under the pseudonym of Michele Badiek, in 1937 he directed his first feature film entitled Pioggia d'estate. In the years between 1939 and 1949 he was extremely prolific as an assistant director and scriptwriter, contributing to the production of some forty films, all of a certain calibre.
He returned to the director's chair in 1949 through a highly fruitful collaboration with Steno and directed eight films within the space of four years, including the enormously successful Cops and Robbers (Guardie e ladri) (1951).
In 1953 he began working independently, although he continued his activity as a scriptwriter for numerous other directors.
His vast filmography includes titles that have enjoyed enormous success with the public and the critics alike, and many of his films have earned a place in the history of Italian cinema. His best-known films include Persons Unknown (I soliti ignoti) (1958), in which he cast Vittorio Gassman in the unusual role of a comic actor, The Great War (La grande guerra) (1959), which won the Golden Lion at Venice and an Oscar nomination, The Organizer (I compagni) (1963), another nomination, L'armata Brancaleone (1965), a highly original film that won numerous awards, Girl with a Pistol (La ragazza con la pistola) (1968), a third Oscar nomination, My Friends (Amici miei) (1975), from an idea by Pietro Germi, A Very Little Man (Un borghese piccolo piccolo) (1977), with a fine performance from Alberto Sordi, and Let's Hope It's a Girl (Speriamo che sia femmina) (1986), highly praised by the critics.
He also worked as a theatre director, playwright, television director and occasionally actor (in L'allegro marciapiede dei delitti, 1979, and in Sono fotogenico, 1980). In 1991 he won the Golden Lion for his career.

Biography of Mario Monicelli

Son of theatre critic and journalist Tommaso, Mario Monicelli obtained his degree in history and philosophy. After embarking on a career as a film critic in 1932, he had the opportunity two years later to co-direct with his friend Alberto Mondadori the short film Cuore rivelatore, followed - again in 1934 - by the medium-length film I ragazzi della via Paal, which was presented at Venice where was included among the award-winning films.
Under the pseudonym of Michele Badiek, in 1937 he directed his first feature film entitled Pioggia d'estate. In the years between 1939 and 1949 he was extremely prolific as an assistant director and scriptwriter, contributing to the production of some forty films, all of a certain calibre.
He returned to the director's chair in 1949 through a highly fruitful collaboration with Steno and directed eight films within the space of four years, including the enormously successful Cops and Robbers (Guardie e ladri) (1951).
In 1953 he began working independently, although he continued his activity as a scriptwriter for numerous other directors.
His vast filmography includes titles that have enjoyed enormous success with the public and the critics alike, and many of his films have earned a place in the history of Italian cinema. His best-known films include Persons Unknown (I soliti ignoti) (1958), in which he cast Vittorio Gassman in the unusual role of a comic actor, The Great War (La grande guerra) (1959), which won the Golden Lion at Venice and an Oscar nomination, The Organizer (I compagni) (1963), another nomination, L'armata Brancaleone (1965), a highly original film that won numerous awards, Girl with a Pistol (La ragazza con la pistola) (1968), a third Oscar nomination, My Friends (Amici miei) (1975), from an idea by Pietro Germi, A Very Little Man (Un borghese piccolo piccolo) (1977), with a fine performance from Alberto Sordi, and Let's Hope It's a Girl (Speriamo che sia femmina) (1986), highly praised by the critics.
He also worked as a theatre director, playwright, television director and occasionally actor (in L'allegro marciapiede dei delitti, 1979, and in Sono fotogenico, 1980). In 1991 he won the Golden Lion for his career.