Exuberant, comical, provocative, moving, brilliant. There are many adjectives that can be used to describe Roberto Benigni, the actor director who turns off today 68 candles. Loved in Italy, but also highly appreciated by the international public, Benigni has profoundly marked Italian cinema in the last 30 years, thanks to unforgettable films such as "Che non ci remained piangere"From 1984, paired with Massimo Troisi, "The little devil"Of 1988,"Johnny Toothpick"Of 1991,"Il mostro"From 1994, and to his masterpiece"Life is Beautiful"(The latter paired with his wife nicoletta braschi), 1997 film winner of three oscar awards (for best actor, best soundtrack and best foreign film).
Born in the province of Arezzo (Castiglion Fiorentino) from two peasant parents, Luigi Benigni e Isolina Papini, the young Roberto made his debut as a musician. In 1971, just over XNUMX, he then made his debut at the theater in the show "The king is naked" directed by Paul Magelli. From then on, his acting and director career will be marked by an ascending climax of successes, with some critical and grossing flops. In addition to the theater, Roberto Benigni was also one star of the small screen. In fact, there are many of his television appearances over the years, with some famous conductors, such as the Festival of Sanremo of 1980 and dissemination programs, such as "All Dante”, In which he recites the songs of the Divine Comedy.
The immortal sketches of the comic Benigni
However, the "Benigni character". Mimicry, expressiveness, exuberance and the use of a hilarious language with the typical Tuscan accent are the winning weapons that have made him famous in the world. His vivacity as an eternal kid meant that Roberto Benigni was the protagonist of memorable sketches, remained etched in history, not just cinematic. Unforgettable are the "kiss" a Silvio Berlusconi during the award ceremony of the "Telegatti"Of 1987, that a Pippo Baudo to the "Sanremo bingo"In 1993 or again the celebration of the Oscar for"Life is Beautiful"In 1999, when he got into the armchairs of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of Los Angeles to the applause of those present.
Roberto Benigni: the artistic genius of versatility
The genius of the Tuscan actor lies not only in his comedy, but also in his ability to deal with serious issues, to the "manner of Benigni". Examples are "Johnny Stecchino" and "The monster". The first tackles the theme of the mafia repentance, while the second is a reference to the story of monster of Florence. "Life is beautiful", however, is the film in which Roberto Benigni was able to channel all his cinematographic genius and beyond. The sweetness with which he was able to tell a love story (for a wife and a child), which has as its background theHolocaust and the Nazi barbarism, can only be considered a real masterpiece.
Although over the years the films as an actor and director have gradually decreased, Roberto Benigni has been able to reinvent himself as a cultural popularizer. In addition to the aforementioned "Tutto Dante", the "Song of the Italians","The most beautiful in the world"and "Ten Commandments" of the Bible (aired from 2012 and 2013). Benigni's latest effort dates back to 2019, with the interpretation of Geppetto in "Pinocchio"of Matthew Garrone. It is not yet clear what his future plans are, but we hope to see him again soon, perhaps on TV with a new show. Happy birthday Roberto, an all-round artist, but out of every scheme, who has been able to give us laughter, tears and emotions.
