Latest news with #EnzoStaiola
New York Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Enzo Staiola, Who Starred in ‘Bicycle Thieves' as a Child, Dies at 85
Enzo Staiola, who played the staunch 8-year-old accompanying his father on a quest to recover a stolen bicycle in Vittorio De Sica's classic 1948 film, 'Bicycle Thieves,' died on June 4 in Rome. He was 85. His death, in a hospital, was widely reported in the Italian press. The father's character, played by a sad-eyed real-life factory worker, Lamberto Maggiorani, is the star of the film, which was originally released in the United States as 'The Bicycle Thief' and is routinely cited as one of the greatest films of all time. But Mr. Staiola (pronounced STY-ola), who played the child, Bruno, is in many ways the emotional center of De Sica's work, which is considered a founding document of Italian neorealism and 'a fundamental staging post in the history of the European cinema,' the film historian Robert S.C. Gordon wrote in his 2008 book, 'Bicycle Thieves.' The story, set in impoverished postwar Rome, revolves around Antonio Ricci, Mr. Maggiorani's struggling character, who must get his bicycle back to keep his new job hanging advertising bills around the city. The job requires the use of a bicycle. But he must also retrieve the bike to avoid disappointing his trusting son. The character of Bruno is portrayed with poise and vulnerability by a little boy who, until then, had been more interested in playing soccer in his working-class Roman neighborhood than in acting. The father's quest, unfolding through a series of sharply etched mishaps in the streets of the city, takes on weight for the audience as the despair becomes not just that of an adult but also of a plucky boy with expressive eyes, the young Mr. Staiola. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Canal+ to Distribute Netflix in Francophone Africa in Landmark Pact
Canal+ has signed a first-of-its-kind distribution deal with Netflix that will see the French pay-TV player carry Netflix content for countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Starting next month, Canal+ will offer its subscribers across 24 French-speaking African countries Netflix original content, from global hits such as Stranger Things, Money Heist, Squid Game, and Emily in Paris, to the streamer's African production slate, which includes South Africa drama Blood & Water, Nigerian series Blood Sisters, and reality series Young Famous and African. More from The Hollywood Reporter Enzo Staiola, Child Star in Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves,' Dies at 85 Wes Anderson Shares How Indian Cinema Legend Satyajit Ray Shaped His Aesthetic Steve Gerben Talks 'Tires' Impact on Dad's Shop, John McKeever Explains That Whole "McKeever" Thing Canal+ is already a leading player in Africa, with operations in 25 countries through 16 subsidiaries and reported 8 million subscribers. The French group currently operates 28 pay-TV channels dedicated to African audiences. The French group is currently in the process of acquiring pan-African pay-TV group MultiChoice, the continent's largest pay-TV player, which operates in 50 countries with 19.3 million subscribers. Netflix does not break out its subscriber figures for Africa, combining them in the larger Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, but the streamer is estimated to have fewer than 5 million subscribers on the continent, with the vast majority of those in the English-speaking countries of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. 'Our millions of African subscribers will benefit from a unique offer, bringing together the best of Canal+ and Netflix content in a joint package,' said Pascale Chabert, chief content acquisition officer of Canal+, in a statement. 'This new agreement demonstrates Canal+'s ability to extend its unique super-aggregation model beyond the European continent.' During the pandemic-era streaming boom, Netflix, along with other global streamers, invested heavily in original African content in a bid to boost subscriber numbers and touted the continent, with its low streaming penetration rates and large, young population, as a future growth market. However, as Wall Street has changed its metric of success from subscriber growth to revenue per user, Africa slipped out of focus for the global streamers. Unlike Amazon Prime, which cut its investment in original programming on the continent, Netflix continues to back African originals, with such South African series as Kings of Jo'Burg and Fatal Seduction. Emma Lloyd, vp, partnerships EMEA at Netflix, said the Canal+ deal 'will allow us to reach even more people across French-speaking African countries. It's a big win for entertainment fans and part of our ongoing mission to make the member experience even better.' The Canal+ deal follows similar distribution agreements between Canal+ and Netflix for Poland and France. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Enzo Staiola, child actor in Bicycle Thieves, dies at 85
Enzo Staiola, child actor in Bicycle Thieves, dies at 85 Enzo Staiola, child actor in the iconic film Bicycle Thieves (1948), passed away on June 4 at a hospital in Rome, Italy. He was 85 years old. Enzo Staiola played the role of Bruno Ricci, the 8-year-old son of the film's lead character Antonio Ricci (played by Lamberto Maggiorani), in the Italian neorealist drama. The film was directed by Vittorio De Sica. According to The Washington Post, Emanuele Carioti, an Italian journalist and friend of Mr. Staiola's family, confirmed his death. He also shared that the cause of death was due to complications from a fall. Enzo Staiola made his acting debut with Bicycle Thieves. He worked in films until the age of 15 before calling it quits. Bicycle Thieves received an Academy Honorary Award (most outstanding foreign language film) in 1950. In a 2023 interview with La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper, Enzo Staiola had shared his first meeting with director Vittorio De Sica and how he was cast in the film after the filmmaker spotted him on a walk home from school. He recalled that the director followed him home. He said, 'He sat at the table in our house and tried to convince [my parents] to let me act in his new film. But they didn't want to.' Enzo Staiola was taken to the film studio by his uncle and he was cast in the film without giving an audition. Bicycle Thieves follows the story of Antonio Ricci and his son Bruno Ricci. Antonio finds a job pasting posters of American films around Rome and relies on his bicycle to travel across the city. However, one day, his bicycle is stolen, which is his means of livelihood. The film then follows Antonio and Bruno as they journey around Rome searching for the stolen bicycle, all the while encountering the hardships of post-war life, witnessing poverty, and facing humiliation.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Enzo Staiola, unforgettable child actor of ‘Bicycle Thieves', passes away
Italian actor Enzo Staiola, immortalised on screen for playing little Bruno in Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves, passed away on June 6. He was 85. According to a report in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Staiola passed away in Rome. No immediate cause of his death was given. Bicycle Thieves is a masterpiece of Italian neo-realist cinema. A moving tale of family, hardship and post-war society, the film followed little Bruno as he accompanied his father around town in search of his lost bicycle. A touching scene finds father and son at a restaurant, eating cheap sandwiches and relaxing in the face of desperation. Indian filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Anurag Kashyap have named Bicycle Thieves as a major influence on their lives. Enzo Staiola was eight when he was picked by De Sica for Bicycle Thieves. He appeared in other films (including one with Humphrey Bogart) but his acting career failed to take off. Moving away, Staiola taught mathematics and worked as a clerk at the land registry, before returning for his last film role in the 1978 giallo The Pyjama Girl Case.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Enzo Staiola: Beloved child star of the classic ‘Bicycle Thieves', passes away at 85
Enzo Staiola, who captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with his stunning performance as a child in 's 1948 masterpiece 'Bicycle Thieves', has passed away at the age of 85. Italian daily La Repubblica confirmed the news, though the cause of death has not been disclosed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At just nine years old, Staiola portrayed Bruno Ricci — the wide-eyed son of a man desperately searching post-war Rome for a stolen bicycle that represents his only means of livelihood. An accidental star Born in Rome on November 15, 1939, Staiola's path to stardom was anything but conventional. His natural presence on screen and expressive performance helped turn 'Bicycle Thieves' into a global landmark of Italian neorealism, ultimately earning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. 'Mission Impossible' Director Mcquarrie Reveals Tom Cruise's Dangerous Habit | Deets Inside A quiet life beyond the spotlight While 'Bicycle Thieves' brought Staiola international recognition, he never reunited with De Sica. He went on to act in several films during the 1950s, including 'Hearts Without Borders', 'Vulcano', 'Guilt Is Not Mine', and 'A Tale of Five Women'. He also appeared alongside Hollywood icons Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner in 'The Barefoot Contessa' (1954), and had a brief role in 'The Girl in the Yellow Pyjamas' (1977). Enzo Staiola's last performance was in the movie 'The Pajama Girl Case' which was released in the year 1978. Choosing a life beyond acting Despite his early fame, Staiola stepped away from acting and embraced a quieter, more grounded life. He worked as a mathematics teacher and later served as a land registry clerk — a humble career far removed from the glamour of cinema, yet one that he embraced with dignity. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the tear-streaked eyes of 'Bicycle Thieves' iconic Bruno Ricci.
