Franco Zeffirelli(1923-2019)

In January 2018, actor Johnathon Schaech accused Zeffirelli of sexually assaulting him during the production of Zeffirellis Spatz (1993) in 1992. Schaech, now 48, wrote in People magazine that he was 22 years old when Zeffirelli pestered him during the day, verbally abused him, and tried to enter his room at night, forcing him to lock the door. Then one night in Sicily, Schaech wrote, the director got a key, entered Schaech's room and his bed and assaulted him. Zeffirelli denied the allegation. Bruce Robinson, who acted in Zeffirelli's Romeo und Julia (1968), had made similar allegations many years previously.

[About Totò che visse due volte (1998)] I must confess, from the bottom of my heart, my sadness and my discomfort to such a film devoid of any form of sentiment and values. In what society do we live? Why do you thus these films? Should be the heart of the matter. This is something that is deeply against humanity, society and the fundamental values of man and I think that in a case like this, total censorship is necessary. And as for me I will not see this movie because I already know what it is and I do not want to sully my eye.