Reto Salimbeni
Reto Salimbeni (born July 28, 1958, in Thalwil, Switzerland) is a filmmaker and director known for his features and commercials. His films include Urban Safari, The Day I Was My Father and One Way.
Salimbeni grew up in Zurich, Switzerland and Bologna, Italy. He enjoyed watching films from early on. He graduated from the Business School of Zurich in 1979 and immediately pursued a career in film.
Commercials
Salimbeni started in the industry production managing on several commercial and television productions. By the age of 24 he produced the feature film Ready to Murder by Lesly Darbon for Swiss Television. The same year Salimbeni directed a no-budget music video for local top-act Trampolin. The video gained top airplay status during that year and the exposure opened doors for Salimbeni into the prestigious commercial arena. Directing over 500 commercials he built his reputation for "visual storytelling with a human twist" (SHOOT magazine). His work has included spots for brands such as Nike, IKEA, MTV, Chevron, Panasonic, UEFA and Pepsi. He has won over 50 international awards for his commercials – among them the New York Festival, the IAFF Cannes, the Art Directors Club N.Y. and the Art Directors Club Europe. His campaign for MTV "Headbanger" was nominated for the Grand Prix at the 1996 New York TV & Film Awards.
During the 1990s, already an established director in Europe, he expanded into the US market, directing nationwide campaigns for prominent agencies including J. Walter Thompson and Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco.
In 2001, Salimbeni created Manifesto Films with its main office in Vancouver and offices in Zürich and Los Angeles.
In October 2010, Salimbeni signed to New York-based production company COLLECTIVE for commercial representation.[1]
Features
As writer and director, Salimbeni shot this independent comedy in 1995 starring Barry Pepper, Linda Kash and David Naughton. The film was picked up for distribution by Universal International Pictures and sold to over 80 territories, opening theatrically in the US in 1997, after a successful European run.
- The Day I Was My Father / Was ist bloß mit meinen Männern los? (German title)
In 2001, Salimbeni wrote and directed this family comedy for German Studio Bavaria Films and Pro7, starring Christian Tramitz, Thomas Heinze and Sidonie von Krosigk. The film was nominated for "best German children movie".
In 2007, Salimbeni wrote and directed this thriller/drama starring Til Schweiger, Michael Clarke Duncan, Lauren Lee Smith and Eric Roberts that sparked a controversy by tackling the sensitive subject of rape and delving into the dark side of humanity. Co-produced and distributed by Universal International Pictures, One Way is currently in worldwide distribution.
References
External links
- Interview Reto Salimbeni/Til Schweiger
- Interview Reto Salimbeni
- Interview Reto Salimbeni
- Review One Way (English)
- Review One Way (German) 1
- Review One Way (German) 2
- Review One Way (German) 3
- Review One Way (German) 4
- Manifesto Films (Reto Salimbeni's production company)