Nanni Moretti

Giovanni "Nanni" Moretti (; born 19 August 1953) is an Italian filmmaker, actor and producer.

He is most known for his winner film The Son's Room (2001) and his Special Jury Prize winner film Sweet Dreams (1981). He is also the recipient of three David di Donatello Award for Best Film, for: Caro diario in 1994, The Son's Room in 2001, and The Caiman in 2006.

Early life Moretti was born in Bruneck, Italy to Roman parents who were both teachers. His father was the late epigraphist Luigi Moretti, a Greek teacher at Sapienza University of Rome. His brother is literary scholar Franco Moretti.

Career While growing up, Moretti discovered his two passions, the cinema and water polo. Having finished his studies, he pursued a career as a producer, and in 1973 directed his first two short films: Pâté de bourgeois and The Defeat .

In 1976, Nanni Moretti's first feature film Io sono un autarchico (I Am Self-Sufficient) was released. In 1978, he wrote, directed and starred in the movie Ecce Bombo, which tells the story of a student having problems with his entourage. It was screened at the Cannes Festival. Sogni d'oro won the Special Jury Prize at the 38th Venice International Film Festival. La messa è finita won the Silver Bear – Special Jury Prize at the 36th Berlin International Film Festival.

Having played water polo in the B division of the Italian championship, his experience later inspired his 1989 film Red Wood Pigeon ("palombella," which literally means "little pigeon," refers to a type of lob shot).

He may be best known for his films Caro diario (1993; followed in 1998 by a sequel, Aprile) and La stanza del figlio (The Son's Room, 2001), the latter of which won the at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

The Caiman (2006) is in part about Berlusconi's controversies: in one of the three portraits of the Italian prime minister Moretti himself plays Berlusconi. His 2011 film We Have a Pope screened In Competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, follows the conclave election of new Pope.

His 2015 film Mia Madre was selected to compete for the at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. His 2021 and 2023 films Three Floors and A Brighter Tomorrow were also selected to compete for the at the 2021 and 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Moretti has used certain actors several times in his films, generally playing minor roles. His father Luigi appears in 6 films, Dario Cantarelli and Mauro Fabretti in 5, and Antonio Petrocelli in 4. More notable Italian actors he has employed frequently in his films include Silvio Orlando, who appears in 5 films (including the role of protagonist in Il caimano) and Laura Morante, who was featured in Sogni d'oro, Bianca and The Son's Room. thumb

Personal life Even though his works have not been widely seen outside Europe, within his country, Moretti is known as a maker of wryly humorous and eccentric films, usually starring himself.

Moretti says he is not religious. In his own words: "I remember the shirts that said 'Thank God I'm an atheist'. Funny. But I do not think so. I'm not a believer and I'm sorry".

Moretti is also a famous outspoken political leftist in Italian politics. In 2002, he organized street protests against the government of Silvio Berlusconi, besides his own documentary film The Thing (La cosa), which follows the first meeting of Italian leftist militants after the Italian Communist Party's dissolution proposal in 1989.

He lives in Rome, having been resident since birth, where he is co-owner of a small movie theater, Nuovo Sacher, named like this because of Moretti's passion for Sachertorte. The short film, Il Giorno della prima di Close Up (Opening Day of Close-Up, 1996), shows Moretti at his theatre attempting to encourage patrons to attend the opening day of Abbas Kiarostami's film, Close Up.

In April 2025, Moretti was hospitalised after suffering a heart attack.

Filmography

Accolades

Cannes Film Festival Prix de la mise en scène 1994: Caro diario 2001: The Son's Room Prix de la FIPRESCI 2001: The Son's Room Carrosse d'Or 2004 Rome's Award 2006: Il caimano Ecumenical Prize 2015: Mia madre

Venice Film Festival Silver Lion – Special Jury Prize 1981: Sweet Dreams "Bastone Bianco" Filmcritic Award 1989: Red Wood Pigeon

Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear – Jury Grand Prix 1986: The Mass Is Ended Jury C.I.C.A.E Award 1986: The Mass Is Ended

Chicago International Film Festival Golden Plaque for Best Documentary Short Film 2003: The Last Customer Silver Plaque for Best Screenplay 2008: Quiet Chaos

European Film Awards FIPRESCI Prize 1994: Caro diario

São Paulo International Film Festival Critics Award 1990: Red Wood Pigeon

Sudbury Cinéfest Best International Film 1994: Caro diario

Sant Jordi Awards Best Foreign Film 1995: Caro diario

Guild of German Art House Cinemas Guild Film Award – Silver 2002: The Son's Room

David di Donatello Alitalia Award 1986 Golden Medal of the City of Rome 1986 Best Actor 1991: The Yes Man Best Film 1994: Caro diario Best Film 2001: The Son's Room Best Film 2006: Il caimano Best Director 2006: Il caimano Best Producer 2006: Il caimano Best Documentary 2019: Santiago

Silver Ribbon Best Story 1978: Ecce Bombo Best Producer 1988: It's Happening Tomorrow Best Story 1990: Red Wood Pigeon Best Producer 1992: The Yes Man Best Director 1994: Caro diario Best Producer 1996: The Second Time Best Director 2001: The Son's Room Best Producer 2007: Il caimano Best Director 2011: We Have a Pope Best Story 2011: We Have a Pope Best Producer 2011: We Have a Pope Ribbon of the Year 2019: Santiago

Ciak d'oro Awards Best Director 1986: The Mass Is Ended Best Screenplay 1986: The Mass Is Ended Best Director 1990: Red Wood Pigeon Best Film 1994: Caro diario Best Director 1994: Caro diario Best Screenplay 1994: Caro diario Best Film 2001: The Son's Room Best Director 2001: The Son's Room Best Film 2006: Il caimano Best Director 2006: Il caimano Best Screenplay 2006: Il caimano Best Film 2011: We Have a Pope Best Screenplay 2011: We Have a Pope Best Director 2015: Mia madre Honorary Ciak d'oro 2019

UBU Awards Best Italian Movie 1977/78: Ecce Bombo Best Actor 1984/85: Sweet Body of Bianca

Globi d'oro Awards Best Debut 1977: I Am Self Sufficient Best Film 1994: Caro diario Best Film 2011: We Have a Pope

Cahiers du cinéma Best Film 1989: Red Wood Pigeon (ex equo with Do the Right Thing) Best Film 1994: Caro diario Best Film 2011: We Have a Pope Best Film 2015: Mia madre