Bernardo Bertolucci

Bernardo Bertolucci (; 16 March 1941 – 26 November 2018) was an Italian film director and screenwriter with a career that spanned 50 years. Considered one of the greatest directors in Italian cinema, Bertolucci's work achieved international acclaim. He was the first Italian filmmaker to win the Academy Award for Best Director for ''The Last Emperor'' (1987), one of many accolades including a BAFTA Award, a César Award, and two Golden Globes. He also received a Golden Lion in 2007, and a Honorary Palme d'Or in 2011.

A protégé of Pier Paolo Pasolini, Bertolucci made his directorial debut at 22. His second film, ''Before the Revolution'' (1964), earned strong international reviews and has since gained classic status, being called a "masterpiece of Italian cinema" by Film4. His 1970 film ''The Conformist'', an adaptation of the Alberto Moravia novel, is considered a classic of international cinema, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the prestigious Berlin Golden Bear. His 1972 erotic drama ''Last Tango in Paris'' was controversial due to its sex scenes, in addition to an unscripted rape scene, which actress Maria Schneider did not consent to. Bertolucci's films such as the historical epic ''1900'' (1976), the family drama ''La Luna'' (1979), and the darkly comedic ''Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man'' (1981), were also controversial but acclaimed.

His 1987 film ''The Last Emperor'', a biopic of Chinese monarch Puyi, was a critical and commercial success, earning rave reviews and sweeping the 60th Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director). He followed its success with two more films in his "Oriental Trilogy" – ''The Sheltering Sky'', an adaptation of the novel of the same name, and ''Little Buddha'', a Buddhist religious epic. His 1996 film, ''Stealing Beauty'', brought him his second of two Palme d'Or nominations. He continued directing well into the 21st century, releasing his final film, ''Me and You'', in 2012.

Bertolucci's films often deal with themes of politics, sexuality, history, class conflict, and social taboos; and his style has influenced several filmmakers. Several of his films have appeared on lists of the greatest film of all time. Provided by Wikipedia