Gabriele Salvatores Biography
Gabriele Salvatores (1950 - ) born in Naples, studied at the University of Rome, where he graduated in philosophy in 1975 and is an acclaimed director. After graduating he worked as a freelance journalist for various Italian newspapers and magazines. He also wrote several books, including a novel, before turning to cinema. Then he began his career as a theater director in 1972, founding the Teatro dell'Elfo in Milan, for which he directed several avant-garde shows until 1989. In that year he made his third film, Marrakech Express, followed in 1990 by Turné. The films feature a group of likeable actors, including Diego Abatantuono and Fabrizio Bentivoglio. Turné screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 1990 Cannes Film Festival. In 1991, his film Mediterraneo was internationally acclaimed and won an Oscar for best foreign language film, three David di Donatello and a Nastro d' silver. Puerto Escondido was released in 1992, according to the novel by Pino Cacucci, in which Abatantuono and Bentivoglio are joined by a new actor Gabriel Salvatores, Claudio Bisio. The following year he created Sud, with Silvio Orlando, an attempt to denounce the political and social situation of the Italian South seen from the point of view of the unemployed and those on the margins of society. His film I Don't Ho Fear (2013) also won the David di Donatello for Best Film. Salvatores has also been recognized for his contributions to Italian cinema. In 2011 he was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, one of the highest honours.
