Costanzo Allione (1936-2013) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He was born in Rome, Italy, to a family of artists and intellectuals. He studied literature and philosophy at the University of Rome before moving to Paris, France, in 1958 to pursue a career in filmmaking.
During his time in Paris, Allione worked as an assistant director for several directors, including Jean-Luc Godard. He also worked on the set of Federico Fellini's 8½ (1963). In 1968 he returned to Rome to make his first feature film, Il Conte Max, which was followed by several other critically acclaimed films, including La Fine Del Mondo (1972), Il Marchese Del Grillo (1981) and Caro Diario (1993).
Allione's films often explored the themes of social and political injustice, poverty, and the importance of family values. He often used non-professional actors and employed a documentary-style approach to filming. His films often featured surreal elements and dark humor.
Allione won several awards for his work, including the Nastro d'Argento for Best Director for Il Marchese Del Grillo (1981) and the David di Donatello for Best Screenplay for Caro Diario (1993). He was also honored with a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for La Fine Del Mondo (1972).
Allione's work has been praised for its cinematic beauty, its use of non-professional actors, and its exploration of social and political issues. His films continue to inspire and influence filmmakers today. In 2013, Allione passed away at the age of 77. He is remembered as one of the most important Italian directors of the 20th century.