Italian filmmaker, Paolo Taviani, known for his raw biographical film Padre Padrone which received top honors at the Cannes film festival, passed away at the age of 92 according to Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, on Thursday.
“Paolo Taviani, a prominent figure in Italian cinema for over thirty years, collaborated with his brother Vittorio to create one of the most celebrated directorial partnerships in the industry. Gualtieri announced, ‘We are saddened by the passing of Paolo Taviani, a masterful director in Italian cinema.’ Their works have left a lasting impact on the audience and are highly regarded in the world of film.”
According to reports from media sources, Taviani passed away in a Rome clinic after a brief illness. Anasa news agency reported that his wife and two children were present at his bedside, and also stated that Taviani’s funeral will take place on Monday.
In collaboration with Vittorio before his passing, the Taviani brothers created socially conscious movies spanning over fifty years. One of their works, Padre Padrone, set in Sardinia, was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977. This film is based on Gavino Ledda’s memoir and tells the story of a young shepherd breaking free from his father’s oppressive rule.
Gilles Jacob, the ex-president of Cannes, stated to AFP news that Paolo Taviani was a member of a charming duo.
In 2018, Paolo Taviani debuted a film independently following the passing of his brother. Titled “Leonora Addio”, the film was shown at the Berlinale festival in 2022 and delves into themes of death and the lasting impact of artistic pursuits. The concept for the film was originally conceived by the brothers together. Taviani shared with AFP that despite Vittorio’s absence, he still feels his presence.
The speaker explained that the Taviani brothers were influenced by the neorealist filmmaker Roberto Rossellini. They were inspired to pursue filmmaking after watching Rossellini’s film, Paisan, at the ages of 18 and 16. They believed that films could bring about change and reveal the truth about individuals, motivating them to incorporate movies into their own lives.
Jacob described Paolo and Vittorio as successors to Rossellini, noting that their films possess a unique blend of moral integrity and lyrical beauty. Jacob praised both Padre Padrone and The Night of the Shooting Stars, released in 1982, for their remarkable strength and sensitivity. One of the brothers’ most highly praised works, Caesar Must Die, won the prestigious Golden Bear award at the 2012 Berlin film festival.
Taviani was born in 1931 in San Miniato in Tuscany. The brothers’ father was an anti-fascist lawyer and they had an early interest in social issues, which they translated on to the screen with works known for their mix of history, psychological analysis and lyricism.
The passing of this individual creates a void that cannot be filled, not only in the film industry but in the hearts of all who connected with his roots and his passion for this region. These were the words of Eugenio Giani, the governor of Tuscany.
Source: theguardian.com
