RIP Lina Wertmuller

 

Lina Wertmüller, the masterful Italian filmmaker who created a sensation in the 1970s with her earthy mix of sex and politics seen in such classics as Seven Beauties, Swept Away and The Seduction of Mimi, died in Rome on December 9, 2021. She was 93. Wertmüller, was the first woman to receive an Oscar nomination for best director (for 1975’s Seven Beauties). In October 2019, she was given an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards. Born in Rome as Arcangela Felice Assunta Job Wertmüller von Elgg Espanol von Brauchich on August 14, 1928. Recognizable by film aficionados for her white-framed glasses and pert hairstyle, Wertmüller first came to international attention at Cannes with The Seduction of Mimi, a comedy and was the first movie from her company, Liberty Films. Wertmuller directed one Euro-western “Belle Star” (!968) under the alias Nathan Wich and wrote the screenplay under the alias George Brown. Previously she was signed to direct another Euro-western “Learn to Kill” (1965), but the film was never made. Lina also acted as an uncredited choreographer for Rita Pavone in "Little Rita in the West" (1967)