Biography
Childhood and youth
Marcello Mastroianni was born on September 28, 1924 in the village of Fontana Lirilocated high in the Apennine mountains. Parents - Ottorino Mastroianni (Ottorino Mastroianni) and Ida Irolle (Ida Irolle). Later, the family moved to Turin, where his younger brother Ruggero (Rougiero Mastroianni), who also became an actor, was born.
Childhood and youth fell on the years of Nazism - for some time even had to work in one of the camps, where he soon fled.
The family lived in extreme poverty, for four there was only one room, food was always lacking. Marcello was saved only by his industriousness, inherited from his Jewish mother, and inexhaustible optimism, inherited from his father.
The future actor graduated from a vocational school, later studied construction and architecture at the University of Rome. There was an acquaintance with Giulietta Masina (Gulietta Masina), they happened to be partners in student performances. But Marcello Mastroianni did not consider acting to be his future profession, he was a diligent student and dreamed of a career as an architect. There were abilities for this, besides Mastroianni was weighed down by a half-starved existence, and the chosen path promised good profits.
Creative way
The person who put an end to dreams of architecture was director Luchino Visconti, who first saw him on the stage of the student theater. Mastroianni did not understand that it was in him that the master liked it so much. The future idol of millions considered his appearance to be the most ordinary - height of 176 cm, shapeless nose, full lips and thin hands. But even then, Marcello Mastroianni was able to get used to the role, to convey the subtle nuances of the experiences of the portrayed hero. At the invitation of Visconti, he became an actor in the troupe of the Eliseo Theater. But it was still far from real glory.
At first, Mastroianni specialized in the roles of “simple guys,” that is, he played himself.
The best picture of that period is “Days of Love”, where fifteen-year-old Marina Vladi became his partner (Marina Vlady). The actor, who at that time turned 23 years old, was fascinated by a young girl. Marina Vlady was not beautiful, but she was able to attract men almost from childhood. Marcello was not in her plans, so the affair did not take place.
The landmark work of the early period of Mastroianni’s work was the film “White Nights” by Luchino Visconti (Le Notti Bianche) based on the novel by Fedor Dostoevsky. Here, the actor first played a refined melancholy intellectual.
His game was highly appreciated by Federico Fellini (Federico Fellini), so their fruitful creative union was born. It all started with the film “Sweet Life”, after which Marchy, as the director called him, became his second “I”, which was especially brightly highlighted in the film “Eight and a Half”.
Mastroianni's third favorite director is Vittorio de Sica (Vittorio de Sica). He became the "conductor" of his duet with Sophia Loren.
The films Italian Marriage and Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow bribed critics and spectators with deep sincerity and passion and are rightfully considered world masterpieces.
"Italian lover"
Marcello Mastroianni's relationship with women is a separate song. The glory of the hero-lover confused him immensely, novels were not a way for him to become famous, but a natural way of life. The actor did not have the habit of spreading about the intimate details of his connections, for which many lovers were especially grateful to him. He could not relate to any of them badly.
Even Flora Carabella, a legitimate wife whose feelings had faded long ago, invariably received flowers from him for every anniversary of their wedding. The “Italian lover” was credited with a passionate relationship with Sophia Loren, who both vehemently denied. They knew how to portray passion on the screen, but this was the result of their talent, temperament and professional compatibility.
Mastroianni's biography is replete with love affairs with a variety of beauties, but the main love his life came to him only at fifty. Catherine Deneuve becomes his partner in the movie “This Only Happens to Others”. The secretive and cold beauty attracted an aging donjuana, who was breaking up with American Faye Dunaway. The novel began in deep secrecy. The truth came out when Catherine moved to Marcello’s trailer for a household reason - there was no hot water in her own.
From now on, Mastroianni lived in two cities, torn between Rome and Paris. A year later, the daughter of Chiara Charlotte was born (Chiarra Charlotte Mastroianni). His father’s happiness knew no bounds, he ran around Paris, shouting that he had a daughter, and treated passers-by with champagne. Marcello Mastroianni already had children, including the legitimate daughter Barbara, but Chiara became his favorite.
Relations with Catherine were not easy. For the first time in his life, an actor wanted stability, repeatedly proposed to her, persuaded Flora to divorce. But he didn’t achieve the expected “yes”. Catherine Deneuve turned out to be an inexorable opponent of marital relations. She generously paid attention to her children, Chiara and Christian (her son from Roger Vadim) were always surrounded by care, but for Mastroianni there was no longer any place in her life. Faithful Flora was always ready to accept the prodigal spouse, and he went to her. Often, secretly flew to Paris to see Catherine and daughter at least from afar.
His last love was directed by Anna Maria Tato (Anna Maria Tato). They lived in Paris, Mastroianni was already ill with pancreatic cancer, but continued to play, including in the theater. He died on December 19, 1996. Next to him at that moment were his two most beloved women - Catherine and Chiara.
Filmography
Sweet Life (La Dolche Vita)
The first joint work of Federico Fellini and Marcello Mastroiannibringing world fame to both. The role of a refined intellectual, disappointed in life, was firmly entrenched in the Italian actor, and the expression "sweet life" came into use.
Divorce in Italian (Divorzio All'Italiana)
A sharp crime drama, Mastroianni - in the role of the killer of his own wife.
Night (La notte)
The cult film by Michelangelo Antonioni. The hero, a fashionable Milanese writer, is in crisis with his wife. Cinema with explicit scenes and incessant high-pitched dialogs. The award is the Golden Bear of the Berlin Festival (1961).
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Leri, oggi, domani)
Three wonderful movie novels written by giants of the 20th century pen - Eduardo de Filippo, Alberto Moravia, Cesare Zavattini. Sophia Loren is involved in all three with Mastroianni. The film is full of humor and deep thought.
Marriage in Italian (Matrimonio All'Italiana)
One of the best melodramas of world cinema, which won the hearts of millions. Confused relationships, secrets, children from different fathers - the methods of the "soap opera" here look touching and sublime. The film won the Golden Globe Award.
Sunflowers (Girasoli)
A joint Soviet-Italian drama with the participation of Sophia Loren and Lyudmila Savelyeva. Mastroianni is habitually torn between two beloved women, this time among Russian landscapes.
This only happens to others (Ça n'arrive qu'aux autres)
Film Nadine Trentignan with Catherine Deneuve. A picture of parents who have lost their daughter and with it is the meaning of their continued existence. Interestingly, the daughter appeared in the life of the main characters.
Big Grub (La Grande Abbuffata)
Social drama with elements of a grotesque directed by Marc Ferreri. The main characters came together to kill themselves with gluttony.
Black eyes
The film by Nikita Mikhalkov based on Chekhov's "Ladies with a Dog". He was awarded the prize of the Cannes Film Festival for best actor.
Interesting Facts
- Mastroianni's favorite dish was beans in oil. Catherine, who hates cooking, has mastered more than thirty ways of cooking for it. The actor believed that Chiara and beans in oil are the best evidence of her love.
- Already being a cancer patient, Mastroianni, who had been silent about his novels all his life, suddenly decided to speak out. The result was a seven-hour monologue, taped by Anna Maria Tato. The scandal erupted a year after his death, not one of the ladies of the "Italian lover" did not want to disclose details of his personal life. Flora, Catherine Deneuve, Chiara and Mastroianni agent Giovanna Kau accused his last sweetheart of wanting to make money on behalf of the actor.
