Nanni Moretti

Biography

Giovanni "Nanni" Moretti (born August 19, 1953, in Brunico, Italy) is a distinguished Italian filmmaker known for his roles as a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He gained international acclaim when he won the Palme d'Or at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival for his poignant film "The Son's Room." In 2012, he served as the President of the Jury at the same prestigious festival. Moretti's work has earned him numerous accolades, including a Silver Bear at the 1986 Berlin Film Festival for "The Mass is Ended" and a Silver Lion at the 1981 Venice Film Festival for "Sweet Dreams." He is also a three-time recipient of the David di Donatello Award for Best Film, recognized for "Caro diario" (1994), "The Son's Room" (2001), and "Il caimano" (2006).

Born to a family of educators—his father, Luigi Moretti, was a Greek professor—Nanni developed a passion for cinema and water polo at an early age. He began his career in film with two short films in 1973, and in 1976, he released his debut feature, "Io sono un autarchico" (I Am Self-Sufficient). Over the years, he has collaborated frequently with actors such as Silvio Orlando and Laura Morante. His films often blend humor with social commentary, reflecting his political leftist views. Notable works include "Caro diario," "Aprile," and "We Have a Pope," which was showcased in competition at Cannes in 2011. In his latest film, "Mia Madre" (2015), Moretti continues to explore personal and societal themes.