Neri Parenti

The Profile

Neri Parenti (born 1950, Florence) is an Italian film director and screenwriter best known for popular comedies, including several entries in the Fantozzi series and the Christmas-themed cinepanettoni with casts led by Christian De Sica and Massimo Boldi.

Italian movie director and screenwriter; active since the late 1970s. Directed Fracchia la belva umana (1981), Fantozzi subisce ancora (1983), Casa mia, casa mia... (1988), Fratelli d'Italia (1989), Christmas In Love (2004, featuring Danny De Vito), Natale A New York (2006), Vacanze ai Caraibi (2015). Frequently works with Christian De Sica and Massimo Boldi; associated with the Christmas-season ‘cinepanettone’ comedies; collaborated with the Vanzina brothers as screenwriters on Fratelli d'Italia.

DeBaser’s reviews of Neri Parenti span cult affection for early hits (Fracchia, Fantozzi) and sharp criticism of the cinepanettone era. Fratelli d’Italia is praised as a small classic; Christmas In Love and Natale a New York get slammed for formula and vulgar gags. Recurring faces include Christian De Sica, Massimo Boldi, and Massimo Ghini. Overall: popular, divisive, undeniably influential in Italian holiday comedy.