Marco Bellocchio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marco Bellocchio
Bellocchio in 2010
Born	(1939-11-09) 9 November 1939 (age 85) Bobbio, Italy
Occupation	Film director, screenwriter, actor
Years active	1962–present

Marco Bellocchio (born 9 November 1939) is a famous Italian film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is well-known for movies like Fists in the Pocket (1965), A Leap in the Dark (1980), Good Morning, Night (2003), The Traitor (2019), and Kidnapped (2023).

Life and Career of Marco Bellocchio

Marco Bellocchio was born in Bobbio, a town near Piacenza, Italy. He grew up in a family with strong Catholic beliefs. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a schoolteacher.

He first started studying philosophy in Milan. However, he soon decided to follow his passion for filmmaking. He went to film schools in Milan and Rome. He also studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

His very first film was Fists in the Pocket (I pugni in tasca). It came out in 1965. His family helped him pay for the movie. It was filmed on his family's property. This film won an award called the Silver Sail at the 1965 Festival del film Locarno.

Marco Bellocchio's Films

Marco Bellocchio has directed many important films. Some of his early works include China Is Near (1967) and Slap the Monster on Page One (1972). He also made Nel Nome del Padre (In the name of the Father) in 1972. This movie was a funny look at a Catholic boarding school.

Other notable films include Victory March (1976) and A Leap in the Dark (1980). In 2002, he directed My Mother's Smile. This film told the story of a rich artist who finds out his mother might become a saint.

In 1991, he won the Silver Bear – Special Jury Prize. This award was for his film The Conviction at the 41st Berlin International Film Festival.

In 2003, he directed Good Morning, Night. This movie was about a famous historical event in Italy. In 2006, his film The Wedding Director was shown at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. He also received an award for his contributions to cinema in 1999.

In 2009, he directed Vincere. This film was part of the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. He also made an experimental film called Sorelle Mai. It was filmed over ten years with students. In 2011, he received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award. This was at the 68th Venice International Film Festival.

His 2012 film Dormant Beauty was chosen to compete for the Golden Lion. This was at the 69th Venice International Film Festival. The film explored difficult choices people face in life. It was inspired by a real-life case in Italy.

Marco Bellocchio's Political Views

Marco Bellocchio had a big influence on Italian cinema in the 1960s. He was friends with director Pier Paolo Pasolini. In 1968, he joined a group called the Union of Italian Communists. He started making movies that had strong political messages.

In an interview from 2002, he talked about how politics had changed. He said that politics was more about managing things. He felt that no one was talking about big changes anymore. He also mentioned that the left-wing parties in Italy were divided. He said that radical change was no longer as interesting to him as an artist.

In another interview in 2006, he said he was still a leftist. However, he believed that the idea of "left" needed to be rethought. He felt that old values were not working anymore. He thought new values needed to be found.

In 2006, he ran for the Italian Parliament. He was part of a group called Rose in the Fist. This group included socialists and liberals.

Personal Life

Marco Bellocchio is an atheist. He is the third son in his family. He had a twin brother named Camillo. A very sad event involving his twin brother happened in 1969. This had a lasting impact on Marco's life.

He has three children. His son, Pier Giorgio Bellocchio, is with actress Gisella Burinato. He also has a daughter, Elena, with his current partner, Francesca Calvelli. Francesca Calvelli also works as an editor for his films.

Filmography

Feature Films Directed by Marco Bellocchio

Television Work

• Portobello (2025), a 6-episode miniseries

Documentaries Directed by Marco Bellocchio

Short Films Directed by Marco Bellocchio

• La colpa e la pena (1961)
• La colpa e la pena (1961)
• Ginepro fatto uomo (1962)
• L'uomo dal fiore in bocca (1993)
• Elena (1997)
• Nina (1999)
• L'affresco (2000)
• Un filo di passione (2000)
• Il maestro di coro (2001)
• Oggi è una bella giornata (2002)
• Pagliacci (2016)
• Per una rosa (2017)
• La lotta (2018)
• Se posso permettermi (2021)
• Se posso permettermi - Capitolo II (2024)

Films Written by Marco Bellocchio

• Abbasso il zio (1961)
• Il ginepro fatto uomo (1962)
• Discutiamo, discutiamo, episode of Love and Anger (1969) – co-direction
• Nel nome del padre (1972)
• Sogni infranti (1995) – TV documentary
• La religione della storia (1998) – TV documentary
• L'affresco (2000)
• Elena (2002)
• Sorelle (2006)
• Sorelle Mai (2010)
• The Life Apart (2024)

Acting Roles

• Francesco di Assisi (1966) – Pietro
• Love and Anger (1969) - Lecturer (segment "Discutiamo discutiamo")
• N.P. (1971) - Preacher (voice)
• Pianeta Venere (1972)
• The Canterbury Tales (1972) - voice of the greedy friar in the Summoner's Tale
• Sbatti il mostro in prima pagina (1972) - Giornalista Conferenza (uncredited)
• Tutto in comune (1974)
• Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975) - The President (voice, uncredited)
• Il gabbiano (1977) - Servant (uncredited)
• Vacanze in Val Trebbia (1980) - Il marito
• L'ora di religione (Il sorriso di mia madre) (2002)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Marco Bellocchio para niños