Suso Cecchi d'Amico

Suso Cecchi d’Amico (1914–2010) was a pioneering Italian screenwriter and librettist whose work helped define the golden age of Italian cinema. Known for her intelligence, wit, and emotional insight, she was one of the first prominent female screenwriters in Italy and collaborated with many of the most celebrated directors of the 20th century, including Luchino Visconti, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Vittorio De Sica. In addition to her landmark film work, she contributed to opera as a librettist, bringing her narrative craftsmanship to the stage.

Born Giovanna Cecchi on July 21, 1914, in Rome, she came from a family immersed in the arts and culture. Her father, Emilio Cecchi, was a noted literary critic and film producer, and her mother was a painter. Educated in Switzerland and the UK, she was fluent in several languages and developed a strong literary background, which deeply influenced her storytelling style. She married musicologist Fedele d’Amico and adopted the professional name Suso Cecchi d’Amico.

Suso began her career in the 1940s and became a key figure in the post-war neorealist movement. She co-wrote over 100 screenplays, including such masterpieces as Bicycle Thieves (1948), Bellissima (1951), Senso (1954), and The Leopard (1963). Her scripts were known for their depth of character, sensitivity to class and gender, and subtle emotional shading. She had a particular gift for adapting complex literary works for the screen and creating strong, nuanced roles for women.

In addition to her acclaimed film work, Cecchi d’Amico contributed to the world of opera as a librettist. Most notably, she co-wrote the libretto for La leggenda di Sakùntala (The Legend of Shakuntala), an opera by composer Franco Alfano, helping to shape its dramatic structure and poetic tone. Her ability to distill complex narratives into compelling libretti reflected the same narrative clarity and emotional intelligence that marked her screenwriting.

Suso Cecchi d’Amico passed away on July 31, 2010, at the age of 96. She remains a towering figure in Italian cultural history—not only as a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated field, but also as a master of narrative craft whose contributions to film and opera continue to influence writers and artists around the world.