Film critic and early advocate of Italian Neorealism who turned to directing after co-writing several films, notably Luchino Visconti's first feature "Ossessione" (1942). "Bitter Rice" (1949) remains De Santis' best known work, a somber but sexy study of female rice pickers in the Po Valley starring Silvana Mangano.
- Born:
February 11, 1917 in Fondi, Italy
- Died:
May 16, 1997.
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Job Titles:
Director, Screenwriter, Assistant director, Writer
Milestones
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1942 Co-wrote first film, "Ossessione"
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1947 Film directing debut, "Caccia tragica/Tragic Hunt"
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1972 Made final film "An Appreciated Profession with an Unlikely Future"
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First made his name as a critic for "Cinema," where other writers included Michelangelo Antonioni and Luchino Visconti