Photo: Jeff Vespa © WireImage.com

Born in New Delhi, India; educated at Oxford University. Worked briefly as a teacher. Made his directorial debut with a music documentary, VAN MORRISON IN IRELAND (1981), and received mixed reviews for 1984 (1984), an adaptation of George Orwell's novel of the same name, in which Richard Burton gave his last screen performance. Other writing-directing credits include ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE (1983), WHITE MISCHIEF (1987), IL POSTINO (1994), B. MONKEY (1998), DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA (2000), TEN MINUTES OLDER: THE CELLO (2002, segment "Addicted to the Stars"), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (2004), and LA MULA / THE MULE (2008). He directed THE LETTERS (2002), FLAWLESS (2007), and THE GOOD DOCTORS (2008).  Nominated for Achievement in Directing 1995: IL POSTINO  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) 1995: IL POSTINO (w. Anna Pavignano, Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli & Massimo Troisi) 2 nominations