Michelangelo Antonioni (b. September 29, 1912, Ferrara, Italy – d. July 30, 2007, Rome, Italy) was an acclaimed Italian film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for his distinctive approach to cinema that emphasized visual composition and character over traditional narrative. He began his career writing for film journals and directing short documentaries, with his first feature film, Cronaca di un amore (1950), signaling a break from the neorealism movement that dominated Italian cinema at the time. Antonioni’s work is renowned for its exploration of modernity and its discontents, most notably in his trilogy comprising L’Avventura (1960), La Notte (1961), and L’Eclisse (1962). These films are characterized by their long takes, sparse dialogue, and themes of existential ennui and emotional disconnection. Blow-Up (1966), his first English-language film, won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and established him as a major figure in international cinema. His innovative use of color in Red Desert (1964) and the subsequent Zabriskie Point (1970) further showcased his ability to blend striking visuals with profound thematic content. Throughout his career, Antonioni received numerous accolades, including an Honorary Academy Award in 1995, acknowledging his significant contribution to film.