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Michael Cimino Biography
Birth Name:Michael Cimino
Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States
Profession Director, Writer, Producer, Script department
Fast Facts
- The French Minister of Culture presented him with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and the Prix Littéraire Deauville 2001 after the publication of his novel "Big Jane․"
- Graduated from Yale University in 1961 with his BFA in painting and in 1963 with his MFA in the same subject
- Became an in-demand television commercial director after graduating from college, shooting advertisements for L'Eggs hosiery, Kool cigarettes, Eastman Kodak, United Airlines and Pepsi
- American history and culture, especially disillusionment with the American Dream, are often explored in his films
- His films are often shot in widescreen and feature deliberate pacing and long sequences with no dialogue
- His 1959 college yearbook described him as liking Thelonious Monk, Chico Hamilton, Mort Sahl, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloud Wright
- His mother realized he was famous after she saw his name in a "New York Times" crossword puzzle
Awards
- 1973Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated
- 1978LAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
- 1978NSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
- 1979Oscar-Best Director: winner
- 1979Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
- 1979Oscar-Best Picture: winner
- 1979DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: winner
- 1979Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: winner
- 1979Hochi Film Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
- 1979WGA Award (Screen)-Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
- 1980Marquee-Best Director: winner
- 1980BAFTA Film Award-Best Direction: nominated
- 1980Blue Ribbon Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
- 1980Readers' Choice Award-Best Foreign Language Film Director: winner
- 1981Palme d'Or-: nominated
- 1981Stinker Award-Worst Sense of Direction (Stop them before they direct again!): winner
- 1982Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
- 1982Razzie Award-Worst Director: winner
- 1985Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
- 1986César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): nominated
- 1986Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
- 1986Razzie Award-Worst Director: nominated
- 1987Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera): nominated
- 1996Palme d'Or-: nominated