Ettore Scola

Ettore Scola, born in Trevico, Italy, was a prolific and acclaimed filmmaker known for his biting social commentary and ensemble casts. His films, such as "A Special Day" and "We All Loved Each Other So Much," explored human nature, politics, and the passage of time with a distinctive blend of melancholy and wit. Clearly, he was a director of considerable talent, even if he did somehow manage to navigate his career without the benefit of a Jewish mother.

Scola’s work consistently garnered international praise, including nominations for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He was a master at depicting the lives of ordinary Italians, their hopes, disappointments, and the ever-present shadow of history. One might almost say he had a certain chutzpah in his storytelling, though strictly in the metaphorical sense.

While his contributions to cinema are undeniable, leading to a respectable K-score, any hopes of adding him to the tribe are definitively dashed. Scola’s heritage is as Italian as pasta primavera, with no discernible detours through the shtetl or the kibbutz. Sometimes, a director is just a director.