Giovanna Mezzogiorno

Biography of Giovanna Mezzogiorno

Giovanna Mezzogiorno was born in Rome on November 9, 1974. She is the daughter of actors Vittore Mezzogiorno and Cecilia Sacchi. She was a student for two years in Paris under the tutelage of the legendary theater director, Peter Brook. Her father worked with the British-born Brook. He had played Arjuna in the Maharbharata.

Giovanna Mezzogiorno made her theater debut at the famed Parisian theater Bouffes du Nord as Ofelia in Qui est là. In 1996 Giovanna received the Coppola-Prati Prize for her portrayal of Ofelia. The following year - in 1997 - she made her film debut in Sergio Rubini's film, Il viaggo della sposa (The Bride's Journey). Her acting skills earned her the Targa d'Argento as 'Nuovi Talenti del Cinema Italiano' (the New Talent of Italian Cinema), the Grolle d'Oro and the Globo d'Oro by the Foreign Press Association as well as the Premio Flaiano as Best Actress of the 1997 - 1998 season.

Giovanna starred next in Del Perduto Amore. She was again awarded for her stellar performance. This time she received the Nastro d'Argento, the Ciak d'Oro and the Premio Pasinetti as Best Actress. Giovanna was well on her way to being one of the most celebrated - and decorated - of all Italian film actresses. At this time, she also began her relationship with Stefano Accorsi. They split up in 2001.

Giovanna Mezzogiorno received recognition in her first international film role as well. She has a supporting role as Soeur Simplice in 2000's Les Miserables, which featured Gerard Depardieu as Jean Valjean and John Malkovich as Javert. Giovanna delighted audiences and proved that she could hold her own with international luminaries such as Malkovich and Depardieu.

In 2001, Giovanna played Giulia in L' Ultimo Bacio (Last Kiss). Her pregnancy throws her longtime boyfriend's life into a tailspin. For her performance, Giovanna received her first di Donatello nomination for Best Actress. In 2003, she was nominated - and won - the di Donatello for her role as Giovanna, a wife stuck in her marriage and her life. As she cares for the Holocaust survivor her husband, who has a very mysterious job, brings home with him, she learns that perhaps her husband isn't who she thought he was.

Not only did Giovanna win the di Donatello for this role. She won awards all over the world for her sensitive portrayal of a character who shares her name. She was named Best Actress at the Bangkok Film Festival in Thailand, received the Silver Ribbon by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (again) and earned another award as Best Actress at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Giovanna has also had starring roles in 2001's Nobel and Malefemme. She worked with Klaus Maria Brandauer in 2003's made for TV movie, Entrusted. Her most recent release is 2005's La Bestia nel Cuore (The Beast in the Heart), directed by Cristina Comencini.

By Deanna Couras Goodson