Celebrating 100 Years of Marcello Mastroianni

He is one of the greatest actors of all time. His collaborations with Federico Fellini and Sophia Loren have produced some truly remarkable films. Today, we celebrate the centenary of Marcello Mastroianni's birth. Renowned writer Latiful Haque reflects on his life and career.

A helicopter is flying. A statue of Jesus is hanging from a rope. The sky over Rome is filled with excitement. Women sunbathing on rooftops look on in astonishment. Everyone gazes upward, seeing the stone ‘Jesus’ swaying! A handsome man can be seen peering from the helicopter, shouting for phone numbers from the beautiful women below. But no one hears him; only the sound of the helicopter’s blades is audible. More than eight decades have passed since the film’s release, yet cinephiles still remember this iconic scene from La Dolce Vita, as well as the actor Marcello Mastroianni.

Marcello Mastroianni at a Glance:

• Born: September 28, 1924, Italy
• Film Debut: 1939
• International Fame: La Dolce Vita, 1960
• Frequent Co-Star: 14 films with Sophia Loren
• Awards: Two-time Best Actor at Venice and Cannes Film Festivals, three Oscar nominations
• Wife: Flora Carabella (1950-1964)
• Death: December 19, 1996, France

Early Life and Career Beginnings Marcello was born on September 28, 1924, in the Italian village of Fontana Liri and grew up in Turin and Rome. His mother was a typist, and his father repaired furniture. He began his career with small roles in theatre and film. In 1934, he appeared in the film Marionette, but he wasn’t credited at the time.

In 1946, he had the opportunity to work as a screenwriter under the famous director Federico Fellini in Paisà. It was during this time that Marcello first met Fellini, who was also a young actor with dreams of making it in cinema. This marked the beginning of their artistic collaboration, blending reality, fantasy, and memory.

A Breakthrough Role Marcello landed his first major film role in 1951 in Attori di Akusa. His fame spread further with the Oscar-nominated film Big Deal on Madonna Street. However, it was La Dolce Vita in 1960 that transformed him into an international star. In this film, he delivered a memorable performance as a tabloid journalist. Three years later, he starred in Fellini's 8½, portraying a film director, showcasing his versatility in two distinct roles within a short span.

In his early career, Marcello acted in romantic films like Big Deal on Madonna Street and White Nights, earning him the title of one of the era’s most charming actors. He later broke this image by appearing as a villain on screen.

Collaborations with Fellini and Others Marcello worked with some of the finest Italian filmmakers of his time, including Mauro Bolognini (Handsome Antonio), Michelangelo Antonioni (The Night), Pietro Germi (Divorce Italian Style), the Taviani brothers (Allonsanfan), and Marco Bellocchio (Henry IV). Renowned directors such as John Boorman, Theo Angelopoulos, Roman Polanski, Robert Altman, and Nikita Mikhalkov also sought him out. However, his partnership with Fellini remains the most memorable. Interestingly, Fellini cast Marcello against the producers’ wishes, who initially preferred Paul Newman. Marcello later stated in an interview that his ‘ordinary’ appearance was what appealed to Fellini. In an interview with Italian journalist Elena Alkan, Marcello described Fellini as a “wonderful philosopher for artists,” and working with him was “like a non-stop party experience, where fun is had and breaks can be taken—an absolutely fantastic experience.”

The King and Queen of Italian Cinema Whenever discussing Marcello, one cannot overlook Sophia Loren. Over his long career, Marcello acted in more than 170 films, including 14 alongside Sophia. Coincidentally, their birthdays are just a week apart. They are often referred to as the ‘King and Queen’ of Italian cinema, with notable films such as The Anatomy of Love, Blood Feud, Ghosts, Italian Style, The Priest's Wife, and Gun Molls.

Sophia Loren once remarked in an interview, “If I received a film offer with him, I would agree without reading the script. I knew that working with him would ensure everything would be just right. He understood me as I understood him. His sense of humour and improvisation elevated the shooting to another level.”

Throughout his lengthy career, Marcello received numerous awards and accolades, yet there remains a sense of regret among his fans for not winning an Oscar despite three nominations. However, his recognition as Best Actor at both the Venice and Cannes festivals has solidified his legacy. He is one of only three actors to win the Best Actor award twice at Cannes.

Marcello was linked to many women but was only married once. In 1950, he married Italian actress Flora Carabella, a relationship that lasted 14 years. His affair with French actress Catherine Deneuve from 1970 to 1974 garnered much public attention, and they had a daughter, actress Chiara Mastroianni.

The most acclaimed documentary about Marcello’s life, Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember, was made by Anna Maria Tato and released in 1997. Anna was Marcello’s partner from 1974 until his death.

Marcello was also present at this year’s Cannes Festival. On May 21, the film Marcello Mio premiered at the festival. In this film, Marcello’s daughter decides to live like her father, dressing and speaking like him! In this story, Marcello’s wife and daughter are portrayed by his real-life partner Catherine Deneuve and daughter Chiara Mastroianni.

Marcello had a close relationship with France. In addition to his two Best Actor awards at Cannes, he had 11 films compete in the main competition section of the festival. He passed away on December 19, 1996, in France. Today, we honour this great actor on his centenary.