Mastermind: Italian Film Lover Gianluigi Perrone Takes Our Oscars-Themed Quiz

“And the winner is …”

Movie buffs will instantly recognize that phrase, which is uttered by every presenter before they hand out Oscar trophies. And as the February 26 date for this year’s 88th Academy Awards ceremony draws near, Beijing-based, Italy-born film lover Gianluigi Perrone takes our Oscars-themed Mastermind quiz. A screenwriter and filmmaker in his own right, Perrone is currently funding a VR studio called Polyhedron, in order to explore how those high tech headsets can advance cinema. He also shoots video promotions for Annie's, and has been involved in coordinating film festivals.

1. Even though the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor (1987) is about the Chinese royal Puyi, it was actually helmed by which director from your Italian homeland?
Bernardo Bertolucci. √

2. Which actor of Italian descent won the Academy Award in 1990 for his role in Goodfellas?
Joe Pesci as Tommy. √

3. Which 1974 film, about a very famous Italian-American family, won the Academy Award for Best Picture?
The Corleone Family in The Godfather. But they’re actually fictional, from a novel by Mario Puzo. Corleone is a town in Sicily indeed. √

4. OK, wise guy, I didn’t mean to make them sound non-fictional. Anyway, your countryman Roberto Benigni won the Oscar for Best Director in 1999 for what film?
Trick question. Benigni won with La Vita e' bella (Life is Beautiful) as Best Actor. It also won Best Foreign Film. But Spielberg won Best Director that year (For Saving Private Ryan). √

5. Wow, you’re good. Ok, let’s switch topics from Italian artists. What actor starred in the back-to-back best picture winners Gladiator (2000) and A Beautiful Mind (2001)?
Russell Crowe. √

6. What was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture?
I would say a Disney movie. Maybe Bambi? ×
Correct answer: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

7. In 2006 Crash was awarded Best Picture. This was controversial, because many people thought another nominee should win. Name that film.
Brokeback Mountain. Crash is basically a spoof of Magnolia.

8. Who has hosted the most Oscar ceremonies?
Billy Crystal, I guess. ×
Correct answer: Bob Hope, 18 times

9. Who was the first female director to win an Oscar for Best Director?
Kathryn Bigelow. √

10. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role in Gone With the Wind (1939). What character did she play?

Mammy, which actually became a sort of stereotype for black women. √

Final Score: 8/10

Answer key:
1. Bernardo Bertolucci
2. Joe Pesci
3. The Godfather
4. Steven Spielberg
5. Russell Crowe
6. Beauty and the Beast
7. Brokeback Mountain
8. Bob Hope
9. Kathryn Bigelow
10. Mammy

READ: Masterminds of the Past

This article originally appeared in the January/February issue of the Beijinger, which you can read here via Issuu, via the PDF here, or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.

Photos: Uni You