Monica Vitti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monica Vitti
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Vitti in 1965
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| Born |
Maria Luisa Ceciarelli
3 November 1931 Rome, Italy
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| Died | 2 February 2022 (aged 90) Rome, Italy
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–1992 |
| Spouse(s) |
Roberto Russo
(m. 2000) |
Monica Vitti was a famous Italian actress. Her real name was Maria Luisa Ceciarelli. She was born in Rome, Italy, on November 3, 1931. She became known for her roles in many award-winning films.
Monica Vitti worked with famous directors like Michelangelo Antonioni. She also acted alongside stars such as Marcello Mastroianni and Alain Delon. When she passed away, Italy's culture minister called her "the Queen of Italian cinema." She won many important awards, including five David di Donatello Awards for Best Actress. She also received the Career Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.
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Early Life and Training
Monica Vitti was born Maria Luisa Ceciarelli in Rome. Her stage name, Vitti, came from her mother's maiden name. As a teenager, she loved acting in school plays. She then studied acting at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome. She graduated in 1953.
After her training, she toured Germany with an Italian acting group. Her first play in Rome was La Mandragola.
Film Career
First Roles
Monica Vitti's first movie part was a small, uncredited role in Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! in 1954. She appeared in other films and TV shows during the 1950s. Her first big role was in Le dritte in 1958. She was 26 years old at the time.
Working with Michelangelo Antonioni
In 1957, Monica Vitti joined a theater group led by director Michelangelo Antonioni. She also did voice dubbing for his film Il Grido. Over the next few years, she became very important to Antonioni's films. She played characters who often felt a bit distant or lost.
Her role in Antonioni's film L'Avventura (1960) made her an international star. She played a cool and detached character. She even helped Antonioni raise money for the movie. The New York Times said her acting perfectly showed the "unreal aura" of her characters. Her picture later appeared on an Italian postage stamp.
She continued to work with Antonioni in other highly praised films. These included La Notte (1961) with Jeanne Moreau and Marcello Mastroianni. She also starred in L'Eclisse (1962) with Alain Delon. Her fourth film with Antonioni was Il Deserto Rosso (1964). After this, their working relationship paused for many years. They worked together again in 1980.
International and Comedy Films
Monica Vitti made her first English-language film in 1966. It was called Modesty Blaise. It was a spy comedy with Terence Stamp and Dirk Bogarde. The movie had mixed reviews.
She also appeared in many Italian comedies. These included The Girl with a Pistol (1968) and Help Me, My Love (1969). These roles showed her talent for comedy.
1970s Films
In the 1970s, Monica Vitti starred in many successful romantic comedies. One popular film was The Pizza Triangle (1970) with Marcello Mastroianni. She also worked with director Carlo Di Palma, who was her partner for several years. She won a David di Donatello award for her role in Polvere di stelle (1973).
She appeared in a unique film by Luis Buñuel called The Phantom of Liberty (1974). Her second English-language film was An Almost Perfect Affair (1979). She usually avoided American films because she didn't like long flights.
Later Career
Monica Vitti reunited with Antonioni for The Mystery of Oberwald in 1980. She continued acting in films throughout the 1980s. She also started writing and directing movies. Her film Scandalo Segreto (1990) was her first and only film as a director. She also starred in it. After this, she retired from cinema.
In the 1990s, she worked on television. She also returned to the theater as an actress and teacher. In 1993, she received a special award at the Créteil International Women's Film Festival in France.
Personal Life and Passing
Monica Vitti and director Michelangelo Antonioni had a relationship in the late 1950s. Their work together made their bond stronger. However, their relationship ended in the late 1960s.
In the 1970s, she was in a relationship with Carlo Di Palma. He was a cinematographer and director. In 2000, Monica Vitti married Roberto Russo. They had been together since 1973.
Her last public appearance was in 2002. She attended a musical premiere in Paris. Later, it was shared that she had been living with an illness that affected her memory. Her husband cared for her at their home in Rome. Monica Vitti passed away in Rome on February 2, 2022, at the age of 90.
Awards
- Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actress, 1962
- Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress, 1969 and 1976
- David di Donatello for Best Actress: 1969 for The Girl with a Pistol, 1971, 1974, 1976 for Duck in Orange Sauce, and 1979 for Amori miei
- Golden Grail (Italy): 4 occasions
- Silver Bear for an outstanding single achievement, 34th Berlin International Film Festival, 1984
- Leone d'oro for Lifetime Achievement, 1995
Filmography
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Television
- Ma tu mi vuoi bene? (1992 miniseries)
See also
In Spanish: Monica Vitti para niños
