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Draft:Giorgio John Squarcia

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  • Comment: IMDb and interviews are not reliable independent sources. Theroadislong (talk) 18:33, 5 June 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: Please reduce the excessive citations if you want this draft to be reviewed. Retain only the best sources (see WP:42) that directly verify the content. Otherwise, reviewers will keep passing on this draft because it's too much effort to review. asilvering (talk) 15:28, 9 April 2025 (UTC)


Giorgio J. Squarcia
Giorgio J. Squarcia at the G8 in Genoa
Giorgio J. Squarcia at the G8 in Genoa
Born
Giorgio John Squarcia

(1969-09-02)September 2, 1969
[Rochester, Minnesota, USA]
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Director, screenwriter, writer, producer, investigative journalist
Years active1994–present
Known forTutto in un Giorno, "I giorni dell'Odio", "Cash", "Lo Stato Social", Miss Italia
Websitegjsquarcia.com

Giorgio John Squarcia (also known as GJ Squarcia or Giorgio J. Squarcia) is an American director, screenwriter, writer, producer, and investigative journalist. Known for blending cinematic storytelling with investigative techniques and to be the pioneer of the docufiction genre in Italy..[1]

Biography

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Early Career

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After earning a master's degree in screenwriting and directing from New York University[2], Squarcia began his career as an investigative journalist for the newsmagazines Inside Edition and American Journal, broadcast on NBC and CBS.[3][4][5] Following an investigation into illegal casinos in New York, Squarcia was forced to leave the United States and return to his parents' homeland, Italy,[6] to avoid retaliation.[7][8][9]

TV Series, Films, and Documentaries

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In 2001, Squarcia created Tutto in un Giorno ("All in One Day"), an anthology TV series that tells a socially relevant event[10] (the first episode is set during the 27th G8 summit) through the actions of four protagonists[11] as different as possible from one another, who play themselves over the course of the same day[12] The series introduced the split-screen technique as a narrative tool,[13] creating a parallel montage that allowed the audience to experience multiple perspectives of the same day simultaneously.[14] Tutto in un Giorno won the ANART Award (National Association of Radio, Television and Theatre Authors) in 2002 for Best Production of the Year, with the following motivation: "A decidedly original work in terms of content and stylistic choices, with high-quality writing."[15][16]

In 2007, he wrote and directed the film Erba, i giorni dell'odio (Erba, In cold blood). In a quiet Italian town, a shocking quadruple murder leads to the unexpected confession of an ordinary couple, unraveling a chilling true story where truth, media, and justice collide.[17][18][19] For the first time, a film about an ongoing true crime[20] case was aired in prime time on Canale 5. Considered the first example of a true crime film in Italy,[21] it attracted a large audience[22] but divided critics.[23][24] In 2008, Giorgio John Squarcia produced, wrote, and directed the docuseries Cash, viaggio di una banconota ("Cash: Journey of a Banknote"), an eight-episode miniseries[25][26] that follows the path of two ten-euro banknotes,[27] named Romeo and Juliet, as they change hands throughout Italy, revealing real-life stories,[28] social differences,[29] and Italians' relationship with money.[30][31]

In 2018, Giorgio John Squarcia created Lo Stato Social ("The Social State") for Sky Atlantic[32][33] , a documentary that analyzes the crucial role of social media in Italian politics.[34][35] In 2019, he wrote and directed[36] the documentary L'ultimo esorcista ("The Last Exorcist").[37][38]

In 2020, he wrote Zona rossa sempre ("Always Red Zone"), a six-episode TV series that tells the story of a day in six Italian prisons through the eyes of their chaplains.[39] In 2021, on the occasion of the anniversary of the 27th G8 summit,[40] he wrote and directed La sottile zona rossa ("The Thin Red Zone", Sky Documentaries), a collective work that revisits those dramatic days from multiple perspectives,[41][42] through the footage of ten filmmakers from different countries.[43][44]

In 2023, Squarcia traveled across the United States with singer Cesare Cremonini. The images[45] from the trip became the documentary Alaska Baby[46] , released in December 2024 on Disney+,[47] written by Squarcia himself.[48][49] In 2024, to mark the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death, Squarcia wrote Io & Ayrton, a monologue-event and documentary[50] performed by actor Stefano Fresi. The work, which combines narration, live music, and exclusive projections,[51] was premiered on May 1, 2024, at the Imola circuit, in the very place where Ayrton Senna started his final Formula 1 lap.[52][53]

Other Projects

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In 2013, he wrote and directed Le strade di Max, a TV series starring singer Max Pezzali.

In 2016, he wrote and directed the documentary Il Ballo del Doge – A Venetian Dream for Sky Arte.[54][55]

Also in 2016, he wrote and directed the documentary Art Basel Miami for Sky Arte.[56][57]

In 2020, he wrote and directed the docuseries On the Road Again.[58][59][60]

In 2022, Squarcia created Italiani Fantastici e Dove Trovarli ("Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them") for Rai 2,[61] a TV show that uses social experiments,[62][63] satirical provocations, and interviews to explore the character, contradictions, and virtues of the Italian people.[64][65]

In 2001, he was appointed creative director of the Miss Italia beauty pageant. Squarcia introduced radical changes[66]: The removal of sashes and contestant numbers, shifting the focus from standardized beauty to the personality of the participants. Talent-show-style challenges to highlight the artistic and communication skills of the competitors. Social experiments with hidden cameras to observe the contestants' reactions in unexpected situations, offering the audience a glimpse of their authenticity. A new role for eliminated finalists, who, for the first time in the history of the competition, were included in the jury.

Alongside the transformation of the pageant, Squarcia created a TV series titled Crown Revolution, shot in docu-reality style. The show documented the contestants' preparation for the competition, highlighting their personal growth and behind-the-scenes dynamics.[67][68][69]

From 2001 to 2022, Squarcia wrote and directed over 300 pranks[70][71] for the Italian TV shows Scherzi a Parte and Le Iene.[72][73][74]

Style and Recurring Themes

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Thanks to his background in investigative journalism combined with his cinematic training, since 2001 with Tutto in un Giorno, Squarcia began experimenting with a hybrid language that merges real-world investigation with cinematic storytelling techniques.[1][75]

His later works—I Giorni dell'Odio, Cash, Lo Stato Social, L'Ultimo Esorcista, La Sottile Zona Rossa, Zona Rossa Sempre—all based on true stories, retained the same stylistic signature, introducing elements of cinematic narration into the telling of reality.[76][77]

Filmography

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Director

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Screenwriter

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Producer

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  • Tutto in un Giorno – Italia 1 (2001–2002)
  • I giorni dell'odio – Canale 5 (2007)
  • Il Ballo del Doge – A Venetian Dream – Sky Arte (2016)
  • Miami Beach – A Day at Art Basel – Sky Arte (2016)
  • Lo Stato Social – Sky Atlantic (2018)
  • On the Road Again – Sky (2020–2021)
  • L'Ultimo Esorcista – Discovery (2019)
  • Zona Rossa Sempre – TV2000 (2020)
  • Off the Road – Sky (2020–2021)
  • La Sottile Zona Rossa – Sky Documentaries (2021)
  • Miss Italia – Crown Revolution (2021)
  • Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them – Rai 2 (2022)
  • Dagli Appennini alle onde – Sky (2023)
  • The Passenger – Sky (2022)
  • Scappo dalla Città – Sky (2022)
  • La Formula Vincente - Sky (2023)
  • Alaska Baby – Disney+ (2024)
  • Io & Ayrton – Sky (2024)

Music Videos

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Advertising

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Books

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Wasteland

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In 2017, Giorgio J. Squarcia published the novel Wasteland.[79][80][81]

Perdere Senna

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In 2024, the publishing house PaperFIRST acquired the rights to the monologue Io & Ayrton and published the novel Perdere Senna.[82][83][84] The book launched the publisher's new "Pop" collection. [85][86][87]

Awards

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  • 2002 – Anart Award (National Association of Radio, Television and Theater Authors) for Tutto in un Giorno, awarded Best Program of the Year.[16]
  • 2012 – Ideona Prize for Le strade di Max, Best Program of the Year.[88]
  • 2024 – Guirlande d'Honneur for Io & Ayrton.[89]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Herald, March 2025". Internet Archive. August 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Reporter – Dentro la notizia". Internet Archive. 30 November 1995. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  3. ^ PaperFIRST. "Biography of Giorgio J. Squarcia". PaperFIRST. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "The Scoop Hunter". Internet Archive. 3 January 1996. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  5. ^ Simonetta Rossi (10 July 1996). "The Front is in New York". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "No Holidays for Matrix". TvBlog. June 13, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  7. ^ Laura Rio (January 30, 2020). "I, Iena, reveal all the secrets of Le Iene". Il Giornale. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  8. ^ Rosangela Rastelli (12 July 2001). "Un trentenne rampante". Internet Archive. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Giorgio J. Squarcia – Fanucci Editore". Fanucci Editore. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  10. ^ Tiziana Leone (26 July 2001). "Tutto in un Giorno – Il Secolo XIX". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "8-09-04-02 Gazzetta di Parma". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  12. ^ Valeria Paniccia (26 September 2001). "Sette Magazine del Corriere della Sera". Internet Archive. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Tutto in un Giorno – Il Giornale". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "Tutto in un giorno on the edge of reality". la Repubblica. July 26, 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "Tutto in un Giorno – Avvenire". Internet Archive. October 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Filiberto Molossi (7 October 2002). "Squarcia, the Winning TV". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  17. ^ ""Matrix", Erba fiction airs amid controversy". Corriere della Sera. June 19, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  18. ^ ""Erba", the massacre becomes fiction". la Repubblica. June 18, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Paolo Scotti (June 14, 2007). "Matrix, chilling summer as the massacre becomes fiction". Il Giornale. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  20. ^ ""Stop the fiction about the Erba massacre"". Quotidiano.net. June 18, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  21. ^ "The Days of Hate". FilmTV.it. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  22. ^ "Erba massacre, lawyers call to stop the fiction". la Repubblica. June 18, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  23. ^ Antonio Scurati (June 18, 2007). "When TV moves from reality show to real life". La Stampa. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  24. ^ Natalia Aspesi (June 18, 2007). "Natalia Aspesi on "Erba" – La Repubblica". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  25. ^ "Tv Blog recommends "Cash – Journey of a Banknote"". TvBlog. March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  26. ^ "Cash – Journey of a Banknote". CinemaItaliano.info. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  27. ^ Boris Sollazzo. "Review by Boris Sollazzo on "Cash"". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  28. ^ "Cash: Journey of a Banknote, the All Music docureality". CineTivu. March 26, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  29. ^ Alessandra Comazzi. "Article by Alessandra Comazzi on "Cash"". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  30. ^ "Article on "Cash" published in L'Espresso". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  31. ^ "All Music launches "Cash: Journey of a Banknote"". la Repubblica. March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  32. ^ "Il Racconto del Reale, great success for "Lo Stato Social"". Sky TG24. March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  33. ^ Carlo Terzano (March 16, 2018). "#Italia2018 – Lo Stato Social, Sky tells the story of the elections as seen through Facebook and Twitter". StartupItalia. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  34. ^ "The Social State: how to analyze elections in the digital age". Corriere della Sera. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  35. ^ "A man from Parma explains the influence of social media on elections on Sky". la Repubblica. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  36. ^ "The Last Exorcist". LaPresse Media. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  37. ^ "The Last Exorcist". FilmTV.it. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  38. ^ "The Last Exorcist". CinemaItaliano.info. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  39. ^ "Always Red Zone". TV2000. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  40. ^ Davies, Nick (July 16, 2008). "The bloody battle of Genoa". The Guardian.
  41. ^ Aldo Grasso (23 July 2021). "Aldo Grasso on "The Thin Red Zone"". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  42. ^ "The Thin Red Zone – The G8 in Genoa twenty years later on Sky Documentaries". TvBlog. July 18, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  43. ^ "G8 of Genoa twenty years later: a collective defeat". Corriere della Sera. July 21, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  44. ^ "The Thin Red Zone, a preview clip from the Sky documentary". Vanity Fair. July 19, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  45. ^ "Alaska Baby: the documentary with Cesare Cremonini on Disney+". Today.it. December 18, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  46. ^ Manuela Santacatterina (December 18, 2024). "Alaska Baby, review of the documentary: on the road with Cesare Cremonini in search of light". Movieplayer.it. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  47. ^ "Cesare Cremonini tells the story of his new album 'Alaska Baby'". MSN. November 28, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  48. ^ "Cesare Cremonini tells the story of his new album 'Alaska Baby' in the documentary". Rai News. November 28, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  49. ^ Tommaso Toma (November 28, 2024). "Cesare Cremonini, Loving Without Spells: the interview". Billboard Italia. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  50. ^ "Thirty years without Ayrton Senna: Stefano Fresi's poignant tribute". iO Donna. May 2, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  51. ^ "Io & Ayrton". CinemaItaliano.info. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  52. ^ "At Imola, "Fresi tells Senna": the event to remember the F1 driver". The Hollywood Reporter Roma. May 1, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  53. ^ "Fresi tells Senna: a unique event at Imola racetrack for the 30th anniversary of the driver's death – Rehearsal clip". Il Fatto Quotidiano. May 1, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  54. ^ "Il Ballo del Doge – A Venetian Dream". CinemaItaliano.info. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  55. ^ "Il Ballo del Doge – A Venetian Dream". FilmTV.it. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  56. ^ "Miami Beach – A Day at Art Basel and Beyond". FilmTV.it. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  57. ^ "Miami Beach – A Day at Art Basel and Beyond". CinemaItaliano.info. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  58. ^ "On the Road Again – TV Program". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  59. ^ "On the Road Again / Off the Road Again". Sky Sport. September 14, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  60. ^ "On the Road Again with Paolo Cevoli". Sky Video. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  61. ^ "Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them, the new Rai 2 show by Alessandro Di Sarno". Leggo. May 29, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  62. ^ "Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them". Rai Press Office. May 27, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  63. ^ "Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them on Rai 2: the candid cameras of Nanni Loy return with Alessandro Di Sarno". iO Donna. May 30, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  64. ^ "Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them". RaiPlay. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  65. ^ "Nanni Loy's candid cameras return to TV with "Fantastic Italians and Where to Find Them"". Corriere TV. May 27, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  66. ^ "Miss Italia 2021: the pageant goes social, final streamed online". Il Mattino. December 1, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  67. ^ "Miss Italia 2021, everything changes: here's what's happening". Il Mattino. December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  68. ^ "Miss Italia: the in-person competition returns, 20 finalists in Venice". MissItalia.it. December 2, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  69. ^ "Farewell to swimsuits, sashes and numbers: how Miss Italia is changing". La Stampa. December 6, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  70. ^ "Giorgio Squarcia (Le Iene): today, the evolution of TV pranks is reaching into intimacy". Agenpress. July 1, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  71. ^ "Le Iene return after a break. An interview, a prank on Brosio, and a mystery host". Dagospia. October 1, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  72. ^ "Le Iene return after the break: "There's still a desire for escapism"". Il Giornale. April 29, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  73. ^ "Oggi – The terror of celebrities". Internet Archive. June 18, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  74. ^ Laura Rio (January 30, 2020). "I, Iena: I reveal all the secrets of Le Iene". Il Giornale. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  75. ^ "Tutto in un Giorno: at the edge of reality". la Repubblica. July 26, 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  76. ^ Alessandra Comazzi (June 18, 2007). "When TV moves from reality show to real life". La Stampa. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  77. ^ Natalia Aspesi (June 18, 2007). "Natalia Aspesi on "Erba" – La Repubblica". Internet Archive. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  78. ^ "Nescafé Cappuccino da Zuccherare: new digital campaign with Camila Raznovich". Horecanews.it. October 10, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  79. ^ "Wasteland – The Land of Lost Dreams". Fanucci Editore. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  80. ^ "Pontremoli, at the Bancarella they talk about dreams". La Città della Spezia. July 12, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  81. ^ "Revolution – Review, Gazzetta di Parma (April 20, 2017)". Internet Archive. 20 April 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  82. ^ "Perdere Senna – Conversation with Giorgio J. Squarcia". Radio IULM. June 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  83. ^ "Review – Perdere Senna by Giorgio J. Squarcia". Mescalina.it. June 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  84. ^ "Senna, Imola and memory: interview with Giorgio Squarcia". SportSenators.it. May 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  85. ^ "Perdere Senna, the book based on Giorgio J. Squarcia's monologue "Io & Ayrton"". Il Fatto Quotidiano. May 22, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  86. ^ ""I was moved reading the monologue about Senna next to his Williams"". Il Giornale. May 1, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  87. ^ "Ayrton Senna, Sky special with documentaries and testimonials". Sky Sport. May 15, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  88. ^ "Ecco i premi Ideona 2013". 2 July 2013.
  89. ^ "CinemaItaliano.info - Tutto il nuovo cinema italiano lo trovi qui".
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Category:Living people Category:American film directors Category:American screenwriters Category:American male screenwriters Category:American television producers Category:American investigative journalists Category:American non-fiction writers Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:American people of Italian descent

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