(Rome) Italian director Lina Wertmüller, the first woman to be nominated for the Oscar for best director, passed away Thursday morning, surrounded by members of her family. She was 93 years old.
Of Swiss origin, Mme Wertmüller started her film career by being one of Federico Fellini’s assistants on the film 8 1/2. From 1963, she will make about thirty films including Pasqualino (1975) nominated in four categories at the 1977 Oscars gala.
Camped during World War II, Pasqualino paints the unflattering portrait of a pathetic mafioso and deserter from the army who, sent to a concentration camp, multiplies little tricks to survive. Sent back to his country, Pasqualino rediscovers his personality as a macho man, brittle and profiteer.
Finalist in the category of best achievement, Mme Wertmüller faced Ingmar Bergman (Face to face), Sidney Lumet (Network), Alan J. Pakula (All the President’s Men) and John G. Avildsen (Rocky), the latter being the winner.
The first woman to win the award for best achievement was Kathryn Bigelow in 2010 with The Hurt Locker, followed by Chloe Zhao in 2021 with Nomadland.
In 2019, Lina Wertmüller received an honorary Oscar for her career.