Known for Art
Nazzareno Piana was born in Rome in 1930. Trained as an architect, he approached the world of cinema at a young age, beginning a long and passionate career as a production designer, set decorator, and architectural designer for film. Gifted with a refined eye and an extraordinary ability to bring imaginary worlds to life, he contributed to the creation of some of the most iconic works in both Italian and international cinema. Throughout his career, he worked with masters of cinema such as director Federico Fellini—winner of five Academy Awards, including four for Best Foreign Language Film—and Oscar-winning production designer Dante Ferretti. By helping to realize their artistic visions, he took part in works that have left a mark on film history. On some occasions, he also appeared as an actor, offering his artistic versatility. He worked on films of extraordinary significance, including: - The Passion of the Christ (2004), directed by Mel Gibson - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), directed by Wes Anderson - Gangs of New York (2002), directed by Martin Scorsese - The Name of the Rose (1986), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud - City of Women (La città delle donne, 1980), directed by Federico Fellini - And the Ship Sails On (E la nave va, 1983), directed by Federico Fellini - Conversation Piece (Gruppo di famiglia in un interno, 1974), directed by Luchino Visconti - The Voice of the Moon (La voce della luna, 1990), directed by Federico Fellini - Ginger and Fred (1986), directed by Federico Fellini - Amarcord (1973), directed by Federico Fellini ...and many more, which testify to his tireless dedication to the craft and his silent yet essential contribution to the magic of cinema. Nazzareno Piana was a craftsman of the imaginary, capable of creating timeless environments by combining design rigor with artistic sensitivity. His work continues to live on through sets, details, and atmospheres that still enchant audiences to this day.
Born
October 31, 1930
Died
April 11, 2006 (age 75)
Birthplace
Roma
Filmography
32 films, 1 show


The Passion of the Christ
2004 · 2h 7m · US
A graphic portrayal of the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life.


Gangs of New York
2002 · 2h 48m · US
In early 1860s New York, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon is released from prison and returns to the Five Points, seeking revenge against his father's killer, William Cutting, a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting's inner circle. Vallon's journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people.


The Chambermaid on the Titanic
1997 · 1h 40m · FR
Horty, a French foundry worker, wins a contest and is sent to see the sailing of the Titanic. In England, Marie, saying she is a chambermaid on the Titanic and cannot get a room, asks to share his room. They do, chastely; when he awakens, she is gone, but he sees her at the sailing and gets a photo of her. When he returns home, he suspects that his wife Zoe has been sleeping with Simeon, the foundry owner. Horty goes to the bar, where his friends get him drunk and he starts telling an erotic fantasy of what happened with him and Marie, drawing a larger audience each night.


The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
1988 · 2h 6m · DE
An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.


Provincia violenta
1978 · 1h 16m · IT
Franco Sereni, a captain of carabiniers, is dismissed from service for being the proponent of "the law of the gun". He is asked to hold a private investigation of several cases of blackmailing wealthy women. Soon Sereni finds out that there is much more then just blackmailing.


In the Name of the Pope King
1977 · 1h 45m · IT
In 1867, with Garibaldi's forces close to bringing Rome into the Italian kingdom, Monsignor Colombo da Priverno, a world-weary judge on the papal court, wants to resign, disgusted by the violence to which the papacy resorts to hold secular power.