Michelangelo Antonioni (1912–2007, Italy)

Michelangelo Antonioni stands as one of the most visionary directors of 20th-century cinema.

Born in Ferrara in 1912, Antonioni reshaped film language by focusing not on what happens, but on what is felt — or not felt — in the quiet spaces between people.

His films explore themes of isolation, disconnection, and the existential unease of the modern world. He gave us stories where the real action lies beneath the surface: in glances, silences, and the emptiness of vast, haunting landscapes.

Why revisit Antonioni in this 21st century? Because his films help us understand ourselves in an age that often feels disconnected despite being hyper-connected. His slow pacing, long takes, and minimalist plots challenge us to observe, reflect, and feel the weight of time.

When we watch Antonioni today, we realize how ahead of his time he was in portraying the uncertainty and loneliness of contemporary life — concerns that are more relevant than ever.

Antonioni’s cinema invites us to pause, to breathe, and to see the world differently. In a time of endless noise and distraction, his films remind us of the beauty of ambiguity and the poetry of silence.

Five films to (re)discover:

• 🎬 L’Avventura (1960)

• 🎬 La Notte (1961)

• 🎬 L’Eclisse (1962)

• 🎬 Blow-Up (1966)

• 🎬 The Passenger (1975)