RIP Maurizio Costanzo

 

Goodbye Maurizio Costanzo, from Pasolini to Scola his link with cinema

Cinecitta News

By Andrea Guglielmino

February 24, 2023

 

Maurizio Costanzo has died. The journalist, TV host, author and screenwriter was 84 years old.

With his 'Maurizio Costanzo Show' he was a key element of pop iconography of the 80s and 90s, but there are also many links with the world of cinema. Collaborator in a first written project of the film Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (1975) by Pier Paolo Pasolini, Costanzo participated in the screenplay of many other films, some of which directed by Pupi Avati: Bordella (1976), Cinema!! (1979), Jazz Band (1978), La casa dalle finestre che ridono (1976) - which over time became a real cult of the horror genre - Tutti defunti... except the dead (1977) and Zeder (1983).

In 1977 he contributed to the screenplay of the film by Ettore Scola Una giornata particolare, starring the couple Loren-Mastroianni. In 1978 he also directed a film, the ironic Melodrammore, a parody of Matarazzian melodramas interpreted by the actor-symbol of the genre, Amedeo Nazzari, in his last film appearance.

It is also due to him the discovery of the talent of the then semi-unknown Luciano De Crescenzo of which he promoted the first work Così parlò Bellavista, inviting him in his program 'Bontà loro' and allowing him to choose to devote himself only to the career of author, definitively abandoning the previous profession of engineer at IBM.

The book spawned two films, both directed by De Crescenzo himself.

Later he collaborated on the screenplay of Troppo Belli (2005), by Ugo Fabrizio Giordani, with Costantino Vitagliano and Daniele Interrante, well-known "tronisti" of the transmissions conceived and conducted by his partner Maria De Filippi.

He also signed Per sempre by Alessandro di Robilant (2003), Voce del verbo amore by Andrea Manni (2007), Parlami di me by Brando De Sica (2008).

As an actor (often in the role of himself) he appeared in 3+1 days to fall in love with Benedetta Pontellini, Caterina va in città by Paolo Virzì, Body Guards by Neri Parenti, Anni 90 by Enrico Oldoini.

In addition, during the 80s, he collaborated with the weekly 'Gente' as a critic. It is also impossible not to remember the brilliant career of his son Saverio, one of the most appreciated directors on the Italian scene.

COSTANZO, Maurizio

Born: 8/28/1938, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Died: 2/24/2023, Parioli, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Maurizio Costanzo’s western – writer:

In the Name of the Father – 1969