Margaret Mazzantini (; born 27 October 1961) is an Italian-Irish writer and actress. She became a film, television and stage actor, but is best known as a writer. Mazzantini began her acting career in 1980, starring in the cult horror classic Antropophagus. She has also appeared on television and in the theatre. As a successful writer, her novels include Non ti muovere (Don't Move), which was adapted into the namesake film and is directed by her husband Sergio Castellitto and stars Penélope Cruz. Her career as a writer and actress has earned her several awards and nominations, including Campiello Awards, a Golden Ticket Award, and a Goya Award.
Early life Mazzantini was born in Dublin, Ireland to Carlo Mazzantini, an Italian writer and artist, and Anne Donnelly, an Irish artist. She has three sisters (one of whom is Giselda Volodi). She spent her childhood around Europe, Spain, and Tangier, until the family settled in Tivoli. In 1982, she graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome.
Personal life She married Sergio Castellitto in 1987. They have four children, Pietro (b. 1991), Maria (b. 1997), Anna (b. 2001) and Cesare (b. 2006). She lives in Rome.
In 2003, she was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on the initiative of the President of the Republic.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1980 Antropophagus Henriette 'Rita' Credited as Margaret Donnelly 1982 La Voce English: The Voice1988 Nulla ci può fermare Il cuore di mamma Valeria 1989 L'assassina 1994 Quando le montagne finiscono Anna 1996 Festival Carla Melis The Barber of Rio Silvia 1997 Il cielo è sempre più blu 1999 Libero Burro Caterina Clavarino 2004 Non ti muovere Ultima donna di questa storia Uncredited; also writer, English: Don't Move Television Year Title Role Notes1984 Un caso d'incoscienza Helga Television film Un delitto Television film 1987 Il commissario corso Mini-series; episode: Senza Prove1988 Lucas läβt grüβen Television film Chéri Television film 1990 Una fredda mattina di maggio Lia Television film1991 Un cane sciolto 2 Television film Duel of Hearts Zara Television film Le flic de Moscou Virginie 2 episodes: Meurtre au monastère, Crime sous hypnose Writer Year Title Notes 1993 Libero Burro 2004 Non ti muovere
Theatre 1982: Ifigenia di Goethe 1983-1983: Venezia salvata di T. 1984-1985: La tre sorelle di Cechov (The Three Sisters of Cechov) 1984-1985: L'onesto Jago di C. 1984-1985: L'Alcade di Zalamea di Calderon de la Barca (The Governor of Zalamea Calderon de la Barca) 1985-1986: La Signora Giulia di Strindberg 1986: Antigone di Sofocle 1987: Faust di Goethe 1987: Mon Faust di Paul Valéry 1988: Bambino di Susan Sontag (Child of Susan Sontag) 1989: Praga Magica-Valeria (Magic Prague-Valeria) 1992-1993: A piedi nudi nel parco (Barefoot in the Park) 1994: Colpi bassi (Low Blows)
Works Il Catino Di Zinco, Venezia : Marsilio Editori, 1994. Manola, Milano : Mondadori, 1998. Non ti muovere, Milano : Mondadori, 2001. translated into English by John Cullen Don't move, London : Chatto & Windus, 2004. adapted as the film Non ti muovere (Don't Move), directed by Sergio Castellitto, released 2004 Zorro. Un eremita sul marciapiede, Milano : Mondadori, 2004. Venuto al mondo, Mondadori, Milano 2008. translated into English by Ann Gagliardi Twice Born, Oxford : Oneworld, 2011. adapted as the film Venuto al mondo, directed by Sergio Castellitto, released 2012 Nessuno si salva da solo, Milano : Mondadori, 2011, Mare al mattino, Turino: Einaudi, 2011 Splendore, Milano, Mondadori, 2013.
Awards and nominations 1984: UBU Award - Best Young Actress 1985: Golden Mask IDI 1994: Golden Ticket Award 1994: Rapallo Carige Prize 1994: Campiello Prize Selection 2002: Rapallo Carige Prize 2002: Premio Strega 2002: Grinzane Cavour Prize 2002: Bari Award 2004: Boccaccio Prize 2005: Silver Ribbon - Best Screenplay (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto) 2009: Campiello Prize - for Come to the World 2004: Nomination - David Award - Best Screenplay (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto) 2005: Nomination - CEC Award - Best Screenplay, adapted (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto) 2005: Nomination - Goya Award - Best Screenplay, adapted (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto)
References
External links
Margaretmazzantini.com Margaret Mazzantini: scrittrice di vita