Tinto Brass is an Italian filmmaker and actor who is renowned for his controversial and erotic films. He is best known for his explicit films about love and sexuality, such as Salon Kitty (1976), Caligula (1979), and The Key (1983).
Brass was born in 1933 in Milan, Italy. He was raised in a middle-class family, and his father was a lawyer. When he was a child, he showed an early interest in films, which he would often watch with his father at the local cinema. After graduating from high school, Brass enrolled in the University of Milan, where he studied economics.
In the 1950s, Brass began to focus on filmmaking, and he soon started making short films. He was also an active member of the Italian avant-garde film movement. It was during this period that he developed his signature style, which was heavily influenced by surrealism and French New Wave cinema.
In the 1960s, Brass began to make feature films. His early works, such as The Howl (1960) and All Screwed Up (1974), were well-received by critics. However, it was his later works, such as Salon Kitty (1976), Caligula (1979), and The Key (1983), that brought him international recognition. These films were highly controversial due to their explicit content, and they earned him a reputation as an auteur director.
In the 1990s, Brass' career slowed down and he stopped making films for a few years. He returned to filmmaking in the 2000s with films such as Trasgredire (2000) and the comedy Cheeky (2000). He has also acted in several films, most notably in The Red Chapel (2004) and To Rome with Love (2012).
Throughout his career, Brass has been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights, and in 2006 he was awarded the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film. He has also been an outspoken advocate of legalizing prostitution in Italy.
Tinto Brass remains one of the most influential and controversial filmmakers in Italian cinema. His films are often seen as a reflection of his own provocative and daring personality.
