**Robert Mulligan (1925-2007) was an American film director, known for his sensitive portrayal of coming-of-age stories and the loss of innocence.**

After beginning his career in television, he established himself in cinema with the masterpiece *To Kill a Mockingbird* (1962), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and cemented his reputation. Among his most important films are *Up the Down Staircase* (1967), *Summer of '42* (1971), a tender portrait of adolescence, and the psychological thriller *The Other* (1972).

His style was characterized by a restrained yet deeply emotional direction, often focusing on children and adolescents facing difficult experiences or crucial moments. Mulligan excelled at capturing the vulnerability and complexity of family and social dynamics.