JULY 21st
BIOGRAPHY
Sabina Guzzanti is an Italian satirist, actress, writer, producer and feature film director, whose work is devoted to examining social and political life in present-day Italy.
In November 2003 her programme “Raiot”, a late-night TV political satire show broadcast on Rai 3, was cancelled after its first and only installment, despite the excellent audience ratings, on the charge of being a direct political attack. As a form of protest against Italy’s constricted freedom of speech, she put on the stage and performed the show Reperto Raiot, and later directed the documentary Viva Zapatero! (2005), which was screened at several international film festivals and always very well received.
Sabina went back to directing in 2007 with Le ragioni dell'aragosta, a comedy starring all the actors of TV show Avanzi, which was also screened at Venice International Film Festival. Once again, her film aroused bitter controversy and criticism but was acclaimed by the audience.
In 2008 Sabina went on tour with her latest show Vilipendio, a 2-hour outspoken monologue interspersed with rap, rock or even Bollywood-style songs, strictly performed live.
In the belief that freedom of thought is an indefeasible right, she went back to directing. Her fourth feature, Draquila - L'Italia Che Trema (2010), which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, it’s a detailed and shocking report on the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.
In 2011 Sabina directed Franca la prima, a documentary style interview about women’s role in art and satire, which is also a personal tribute to one of the greatest Italian actresses: Franca Valeri. In the same year she went back on stage with the show Sì, Sì, Sì …Oh Sì!, focusing on the most prominent figures in the last 20 years’ social and political life.
In 2012, after a nine year absence, Sabina returned to television, on La7, with a new show, Un, due Tre Stella. In the same year she started shooting her latest film, La Trattativa, which was presented at the 71st Venice International Film Festival and focuses on a dark chapter in the history of the Italian Republic as well as the effects of the so-called Mafia-State negotiation on our democracy.
In 2015 Sabina went back on stage with Come ne Venimmo fuori, a hilarious satirical monologue as well as an essential and forceful show, coming from a deep investigation into the post-capitalist or neoliberal economy.