**Mario Monicelli (1915-2010)** was one of the greatest Italian directors, recognized as a pillar and undisputed master of *commedia all'italiana* (Italian-style comedy).

His unmistakable style blended brilliant and sometimes grotesque humor with a profound and often bitter social analysis. He was a keen observer of the contradictions and hypocrisies of Italian society, often narrating the stories of "losers" or anti-heroes with a cynical gaze yet tinged with humanity.

Among his most iconic works are masterpieces such as *I soliti ignoti* (1958), which effectively inaugurated the genre, *La grande guerra* (1959), *L'armata Brancaleone* (1966), *Amici miei* (1975), and the dramatic *Un borghese piccolo piccolo* (1977). His vast filmography succeeded in painting an honest and unforgettable portrait of 20th-century Italy.