Opinion | 100 Years Of Marcello Mastroianni: A Timeless Icon Of Italian Cinema
Mastroianni’s centenary is a celebration not just of one man’s life and work but of a legacy that continues to inspire. His career encapsulates the evolution of Italian cinema, bridging eras and artistic movements
The year 2024 marks the centenary of Marcello Mastroianni, one of Italy’s most beloved and enduring cinematic icons, whose legacy continues to inspire and shape the cultural landscape worldwide. The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi inaugurated the celebrations with a screening of Michelangelo Antonioni’s La Notte in a newly restored 4K version, as part of a broader homage that will span the entire year. This centenary milestone not only honours Mastroianni’s illustrious career but also underscores the deep connections between Italian and Indian cinema, both of which have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of film as an art form.
Mastroianni’s centenary follows similar tributes to Italian cinema greats, with celebrations of Federico Fellini in 2020 and Pier Paolo Pasolini in 2022, and demonstrates the enduring legacy of Italian cinema in India and across the globe.
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From the early days of Italian Neorealism to the experimental turns of Antonioni, Italian cinema has long been a reference point for global filmmakers. India’s own cinematic history shares deep bonds with these pioneering works, as seen in the admiration for directors like Vittorio De Sica and Cesare Zavattini by Indian auteurs including Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, and Bimal Roy. Mastroianni himself epitomised the Italian cinematic spirit, capturing the complexity of modern life through roles that were, at once, deeply personal and universally resonant.
The screening of La Notte at the India Habitat Centre was a fitting tribute to Mastroianni’s enduring legacy. Directed by Antonioni, a visionary who helped Italian cinema break away from Neorealism’s structured narrative style, La Notte (1961) delves into the existential struggles of modern society, portraying the dissolution of a marriage against a backdrop of urban alienation. Antonioni’s choice of narrative style, marked by long takes and moments of silence, reflects a shift from the humanist focus of Neorealism to a more introspective, fragmented exploration of the psyche.
In La Notte, Mastroianni delivers a performance that is as nuanced as it is profound, embodying the emotional depth and quiet despair that the film demands. The film, screened as part of the ‘Week of Italian Language,’ was introduced by Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, who noted its significance in capturing “timeless themes of existence, change, and identity." The evening was made all the more poignant by a live performance from Italian actress Iaia Forte, who delivered a stirring recitation of the iconic letter read by Jeanne Moreau’s character in the film, a scene that has captivated audiences for its poetic depth.
As Italian filmmakers like Antonioni moved away from the realist themes that dominated Italian cinema in the 1940s and ‘50s, they sought to explore the complexities of human consciousness and the inevitable solitude of modernity. Mastroianni became the face of this new cinematic language, embodying characters who wrestled with personal and philosophical dilemmas. He worked with an array of directors, including Luchino Visconti, Ettore Scola, and most notably, Federico Fellini, who cast him in La Dolce Vita (1960) and 8½ (1963)—films that are universally celebrated for their portrayal of the fragmented, often conflicted human experience.
Mastroianni’s unique ability to convey introspection without losing the empathy of his audience was central to his appeal. He took on roles that ranged from comedic to tragic, demonstrating his versatility and mastery in character work. His performances were layered with subtlety, inviting audiences to look beyond the surface and delve into the existential questions that permeated Italian cinema of the time. In this way, Mastroianni’s work bridged the stylistic gap between Neorealism and the evolving art cinema movement, which sought to reflect not only the lives of everyday people but also the more abstract, elusive dimensions of human identity.
Italian cinema’s impact on Indian filmmakers cannot be overstated. Figures like Satyajit Ray were inspired by Neorealism’s dedication to portraying the unvarnished truths of life, a philosophy Ray famously captured in his The Apu Trilogy. Ray’s Aparajito (1956) received the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, a historic moment that brought Indian cinema into the international spotlight. Likewise, the works of Raj Kapoor and Bimal Roy echoed Neorealist elements, integrating social consciousness with storytelling, a hallmark of Italian films.
The admiration flows both ways: Italian filmmakers have long been intrigued by India, with landmark works like Roberto Rossellini’s L’India vista da Rossellini (1959) and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Appunti per un film sull’India (1968), capturing the nation’s vast cultural landscape. Today, Italy has become an appealing destination for Indian productions, with the recent Radhe Shyam starring Prabhas being filmed on Italian soil. These exchanges reflect a vibrant, ongoing dialogue, rooted in mutual appreciation and respect.
The centenary celebrations for Mastroianni will continue with a series of screenings and retrospectives. Beginning in January, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre will offer film enthusiasts a chance to view Mastroianni’s classics in their original, unaltered form, with a two-part retrospective that will culminate in March at the Habitat International Film Festival, featuring restored masterpieces from the Cineteca di Bologna. These screenings will showcase the breadth of Mastroianni’s work, providing a window into his transformative career that spanned genres and redefined Italian cinema’s global appeal.
As Anastasio remarked, “Mastroianni’s ability to transcend genres and portray the essence of Italian identity in both comedic and dramatic roles is unparalleled." His commitment to Italian cinema, often declining Hollywood offers to champion Italian film, was a testament to his dedication and deep cultural roots. For his contributions, he received numerous honours, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, underscoring his role as both a cinematic and cultural ambassador.
Despite his renown, Mastroianni never lost sight of humanity at the core of his characters. His portrayals resonated not only with Italian audiences but also with viewers worldwide, a testament to his ability to embody universal themes of love, despair, and self-discovery. His choice to work primarily within the Italian cinema landscape allowed him to tell stories that were deeply authentic, yet universally appealing, making his body of work an essential component of cinematic history.
His versatility—from comedy to drama, from the ordinary to the extraordinary—solidified his place as a cinematic legend. He was the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a non-English role, a groundbreaking achievement that underscored his talent and the international reach of his work. Over his career, he earned three Academy Award nominations (he was also the first actor to get nominated for essaying a non-English part), multiple BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and was celebrated at Cannes and Venice for his exceptional performances.
Mastroianni’s centenary is a celebration not just of one man’s life and work but of a legacy that continues to inspire. His career encapsulates the evolution of Italian cinema, bridging eras and artistic movements, and his films remain a vital part of the cultural dialogue that connects Italy and India. From the existential depths of La Notte to the surreal beauty of 8½, Mastroianni’s body of work stands as a testament to the power of cinema to transcend language, culture, and time.
As we mark a hundred years of his birth, Marcello Mastroianni’s legacy reminds us of the profound impact of Italian cinema on the global stage, its influence on Indian filmmakers, and the shared cinematic heritage that continues to evolve. His life and work remain a beacon, highlighting how films can both reflect and transform society. His enduring legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations of filmmakers and audiences for years to come.
The writer is an Indian critic, journalist and cultural writer who takes keen interest in diplomacy and foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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