Italian Film Festival NZ | Cinema Italiano Festival NZ

Title: VermiglioYear: 2024Genre: DramaCountry: Italy, France, BelgiumLanguage: Italian, LatinDirector/Screenwriter: Maura DelperoComposer: Matteo FranceschiniCinematographer: Mikhail KrichmanEditor…

A list of my favorite films from Italian directors, in Italian language, and/or movie collaborations between Italy and other countries. Mostly Giallo and Horror, Mostly 70s. In no particular order.

The article looks back at the life and career of French-born actress Jacqueline Sassard (1940–2021), a performer remembered for her elegance and understated presence in European cinema. Although she was born in France, Sassard achieved her greatest recognition in the Italian film industry during the late 1950s and 1960s. Her gentle features, expressive eyes, and ability to convey emotional depth made her a distinctive figure at a time when many actresses were promoted as glamorous sex symbols. The article highlights her notable performances in Alberto Lattuada’s 1957 film 'Guendalina' and Valerio Zurlini’s 1959 drama 'Violent Summer,' works that helped establish her reputation as a talented actress capable of portraying the complexities of youth, innocence, and emotional growth. Later in her career, Sassard returned to French cinema and appeared in Claude Chabrol’s psychological drama 'Les Biches' (1968), a role described as both a creative high point and the closing chapter of her acting career. Shortly afterward, she chose to leave the film industry while still at the height of her popularity and beauty. The article is accompanied by a collection of vintage photographs that showcase her refined appearance, quiet intensity, and lasting screen presence. Through these images and reflections on her film work, the piece celebrates Sassard’s enduring legacy as one of the most graceful and memorable actresses of postwar European cinema.