Giuseppe 'Peppino' Rotunno, a renowned cinematographer, embarked on his film industry journey as a still photographer at Cinecitta, but his anti-fascist views led to his job loss. Conscripted into the Italian army film unit, he served as a newsreel cameraman in Greece during World War II. After being captured by the Germans, he spent two years in internment in Germany before being freed by US troops in April 1945.
Following his return to Italy, Rotunno worked his way up the career ladder, starting as an assistant cameraman and eventually becoming a director of photography. His breakthrough film, Scandal in Sorrento (1955),marked the beginning of his successful collaboration with prominent Italian directors. Notably, he worked with Luchino Visconti, whom he regarded as his mentor, on films such as White Nights (1957),Rocco and His Brothers (1960),and The Leopard (1963). Rotunno also collaborated with Federico Fellini on projects like Fellini - Satyricon (1969) and Amarcord (1973).
Throughout his illustrious career, Rotunno developed a reputation for creating captivating atmospheres through innovative lighting techniques. His international credits include films such as The Naked Maja (1958),The Angel Wore Red (1960),On the Beach (1959),Man of La Mancha (1972),All That Jazz (1979),and Sabrina (1995). In 1966, Rotunno became the first non-US citizen to join the American Society of Cinematographers.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Rotunno also taught at the Centro sperimentale di cinematografia in Rome from 1988 until his passing on February 7, 2021, at the age of 97.
