The traditional Italian retrospective at the start of the year at the FilmMuseum in Vienna, organised in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, is dedicated to two directors who embody the satirical and socio-critical essence of comedy, offering a portrait of social and moral evolution: Luigi Zampa (1905–1991) and Luciano Salce (1922–1989).
Alongside great classics like Fantozzi (celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025) and Il Vigile, the retrospective also included lesser-known but equally significant films by the two directors.
The retrospective was introduced by the documentary L’uomo dalla bocca storta (special mention at the 2010 Nastri d’Argento), in which Emanuele Salce, son of director Luciano Salce, together with Andrea Pergolari, recounted his father’s life and career as the creator of major classics of Italian comedy, such as Fantozzi, La voglia matta, Il prof. dott. Guido Tersilli primario della clinica Villa Celeste convenzionata con le mutue, and Vieni avanti cretino.
