TV Series, Films, and Documentaries
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 ("Red Zone Forever"), 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
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 2021, 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]
