Veteran Italian director and important figure in the history of Italian cinema, Mario Monicelli, has died by commiting suicide at the age of 95 years.
In hospital for treatment for prostate cancer, Monicelli threw himself off the fifth floor balcony of his hospital room.
It follows his own father’s suicide back in 1946.
Monicelli was known as a master of Italian comedy and created what is probably considered one of Italy’s greatest comedic characters, Totò when he made his official debut as director.
It was a partnership which was to last eight films.
Some of Monicelli’s more famous films include I soliti ignoti (Big Deal on Madonna Street) with Marcello Mastroianni, La Grande Guerra (The Great War), Brancaleone and Amici Miei.
Monicelli will be sorely missed in the world of Italian cinema, which is also struggling with the nature of his death.
Giovanni Veronesi said: “He was very special.
I’m really upset.
I heard from him only a short time ago and while knowing he was in hospital, I never went to visit him.
That’s such a shame.
”Italy’s cultural affairs minister, Francesco Giro, says: “The news of the suicide of Mario Monicelli fills us with dismay and deep pain.
A master of Italian cinema has disappeared: a sharp and true narrator of our Italy.
” Director Carlo Verdone also mentioned Monicelli’s great narrative capability, saying: “I really appreciated him as a great observer and narrator, even if sometimes I didn’t share his cynicism.
”