Luigi Comencini: Biography

Luigi Comencini studied architecture in Milan. During his student years, he organized and maintained a private cinema club with fellow movie enthusiasts (and future filmmakers) Mario Ferrari and Albert Lattuada. In 1937, the 21-year-old Comencini directed his first film, the short subject La Novelletta. He spent the war years writing movie criticism and working as a big-studio assistant director. For producer Carlo Ponti, Comencini made his feature-film directorial bow with 1948's Proibito Rubare, which he also scripted. An advocate of the Neorealist movement, Comencini tempered such realism with solid commercialism. His best (and most profitable) efforts include the Gina Lollobrigida showcase Bread, Love and Dreams (1953) and its sequels. In 1987, Comencini was the recipient of a Career Achievement award from the Venice Festival. Luigi Comencini is the father of director Francesca Comencini, screenwriter Cristina Comencini, and designer Paola Comencini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide