There are few female directors as important for the history of cinema as Lina Wertmüller. The Italian artist was the first woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for best directing.

Her 1976 film “Seven Beauties” may not have been awarded the Oscar, but the nomination itself became a seminal precedent. In later years, Wertmüller’s success has been repeated by Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, and Kathryn Bigelow (although only Bigelow received an Oscar).

One of Wertmüller’s most significant acheivements, which fits into the satirical wave of commedia all’italiana, is “The Seduction of Mimi.” The Two Riversides festival-goers will have the opportunity to watch this film during the Italian director’s mini-retrospective. The program also features “Love and Anarchy,” a heartwarming comedy with a disquieting political theme. The film’s leading role – as with “The Seduction of Mimi” – was played by prominent actor Giancarlo Giannini, who has worked with Wertmüller on numerous projects throughout the years. The director’s retrospective will be complemented with the subversive tale of migration from the Italian south northwards, entitled “All Screwed Up.”

Bartosz Marzec

LIST OF FILMS

All Screwed Up | Tutto a posto e niente in ordine | dir. Lina Wertmüller | IT | 1974 | 105 min

Love and Anarchy | Film d’amore e d’anarchia, ovvero ‘stamattina alle 10 in via dei Fiori nella nota casa di tolleranza… | dir. Lina Wertmüller | IT | 1973 | 120 min

Seduction of Mimì, The | Mimì metallurgico ferito nell’onore | dir. Lina Wertmüller | IT | 1972 | 121 min