LINO MICCICHE ?I was in Rome when Lino passed away. Lino was the first Italian I met in Rio de Janeiro at a Film Festival and he introduced me to Gianni Amico.

Above all, Lino Micciche introduced the Latin American Cinema to Europe and was the founder of The Mostra Internazionale del Nuovo Cinema di Pesaro in 1965 which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. Also he was for period President of the Biennale del Cinema di Venezia and President of the National Italian Syndicate of Film Critics. His importance in the Italian Cinema as a critic and historian was immeasurable.

Lino has been forever a friend. When I called him he always called back, much to my surprise, and meant a lot to me, especially as he was a very busy and important person in the Italian Cinema. The last time I saw Lino we went to a movie, of course! I was telling him that my daughter would not forgive me because I ended my marriage to her father. And Lino said: “The wounds will heal, give her time?

His funeral was held at the University where he was a Professor of Cinema. All the great maestros of the Italian cinema were there paying tribute to Lino. Behind his coffin was a screen showing all his favourite films. Adriano Apra gave a speech on Lino’s contribution to the Brazilian Cinema Novo and his support of the film director Glauber Rocha exiled in Rome. Bruno Torri who found with Lino the Pesaro Film Festival gave a moving speech and wrote a touching piece about Lino’s contribution to the cinema. Bruno Torri told me later: “I lost my two best friends Gianni and Lino? It was the same for me ?two of my dearest friends gone!

I left on Lino’s coffin a vintage magazine called Cinema Novo. On the book of tribute I thanked him for what he did for the Brazilian Cinema Novo and for his unique friendship. Above all for his legacy of the books: Visconti, Pasolini, Neorealism, Italian Cinema in the 60s and 70s.

Lino will live forever and for many generations in his film and in his books. Lino Micciche is irreplaceable!