Filmmaker Paolo Taviani of Italy, known for his raw biographical film Padre Padrone that was awarded the top prize at the Cannes film festival, passed away at the age of 92, according to Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Thursday.
For over 30 years, Taviani and his brother Vittorio were acclaimed as one of the most accomplished directing teams in the film industry. When announcing Taviani’s passing, Gualtieri commented, “Paolo Taviani, an esteemed master of Italian cinema, has left us.” Gualtieri went on to praise the brothers for their impactful and passionate films that have become part of the cultural and cinematic landscape.
According to reports from the media, Taviani passed away at a clinic in Rome after a brief illness. Anasa news agency reported that his wife and two children were with him at the time, and his funeral is scheduled for Monday.
Together for over 50 years, the Taviani brothers collaborated on socially conscious films, including Padre Padrone, which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977. This acclaimed film is based on Gavino Ledda’s memoir and follows a young shepherd’s journey to break free from his oppressive father’s grip in Sardinia.
Gilles Jacob, the former president of Cannes, said to AFP news that Paolo Taviani was part of a delightful team.
Following the passing of his brother in 2018, Paolo Taviani independently debuted a film. Titled “Leonora Addio”, it was shown at the Berlinale film festival in 2022, focusing on themes of death and the impact of artistic pursuits. The concept for the film was originally conceived by the two brothers. Despite Vittorio’s absence, Taviani expressed to AFP that he still feels his presence.
Taviani explained that he and his brother were influenced by the renowned neorealist filmmaker Roberto Rossellini. At the ages of 18 and 16, Vittorio and Taviani were inspired to pursue a career in cinema after watching Rossellini’s film, Paisan. This realization led them to aspire to create films that could impact and uncover their own personal truths.
Jacob described Paolo and Vittorio as successors to Rossellini, noting that their movies possessed a unique blend of moral integrity and poetic grace. He praised Padre Padrone and The Night of the Shooting Stars, both of which showcased remarkable strength and finesse. Jacob also highlighted Caesar Must Die, which received high praise and 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.
His death “leaves an unfillable void not only in the world of cinema, but in the hearts of all of us who shared his origins, but also his love for this land,” said Eugenio Giani, the governor of Tuscany.
Source: theguardian.com
