INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON THE NOVEL 2017

© Iacovelli - Zayed / Spot the Difference

WRITER - DIRECTOR

Italy

Born in Rome in 1972, Ascanio Celestini is a writer and director. His studies in literature and anthropology at the University of Rome led him to approach theater through commedia dell’arte and masks. Mindful of oral storytelling traditions and techniques, he frequently hosts theater labs and teaches storytelling and mask-making techniques to professional actors.
He established himself as the leader of the young generation of narrative theater with Radio clandestina (2000) and Fabbrica (2002) and often directs and acts in his own plays.
His texts have been performed several times in Belgium and have received genuine literary recognition in Italy. In 2002 Celestini received the Critics Award from the National Association of Theater Critics, as well as the Ubu Award for his in-depth research into history in his works.
His movie La pecora nera, a film adaptation of La brebis galeuse, was acclaimed at the 2011 Venice International Film Festival and received the Annecy festival’s special prize for Italian film. Celestini has written five books, all published in Italy by Einaudi.