John Real

Described by many critics as a promising director with a touch of Hollywood theatricality, Giovanni Marzagalli, known by his artistic name John Real, is a three-time Italy Golden Globes winner who has made a name for himself in the Italian film scene with remarkable performances in genre cinema. This talented young artist from Catania has carved out a niche for himself by defining a distinct style and genre, offering a fresh perspective that sets him apart from the traditional offerings of Italian cinema. He strives to be recognized for his unique approach and the American influence that permeates his works, starting with his film titles. In 2011, at the age of 21, Real won the Golden Globe for Best Breakthrough Director for his film "Native," marking him as the youngest director in Europe. The film premiered at the 68th Venice Film Festival in the festival's "digital expo" section and had the honor of opening at the prestigious Fantasy Horror Awards 2011. In 2012, John founded Real Dreams Entertainment Srl, a production company that immediately embarked on the creation of the thriller film "Midway Between Life and Death" (2013). Real Dreams made its mark in film distribution, releasing the film nationwide in Italy. The film received excellent feedback from critics, who praised its unique blend of suspense, drama, and paranormal elements, and was among the seven Italian films representing Italy at the 2014 Oscars. On August 7, 2014, Real was a guest at the Italian Horror Fest along with renowned directors such as Dario Argento, Ruggero Deodato, and Luigi Cozzi. He was honored with the IHF 2014 award, recognizing him as a director symbolizing a genre that has been a tradition in Italian cinema and was being revitalized by young filmmakers. In the following year, he also won Best Director at the I-Art Festival. In 2017, Real made his debut in the realm of episodic with the highly acclaimed TV series "Feel the Dead - Five Days," starring Estella Warren and William McNamara. The TV series received five awards at the monthly independent festival Oniros Film Awards in Aosta, Italy, including Best Director, Best TV Series, and Best Horror Drama. Real returned to the big screen with "The Music Box" (2019), winning him four more awards including Best Director. Following this success, John Real directed the dramatic film "Breath" starring James Cosmo and Rachel Daigh, which achieved enormous success worldwide. Soon after, Real delved into psychological thriller territory with his film "Obsessio" (2019), receiving eight awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Production. Continuing his streak of success, Real's highly anticipated adventure fantasy film, "The Last Redemption" (James Cosmo, Kevin Sorbo, Angus MacFadyen) was released in the United States by Vertical Entertainment and subsequently distributed worldwide, earning strong international attention. With its high-stakes plot, adrenaline-fueled action sequences, and Real's masterful direction, "The Last Redemption" stands as another captivating addition to his body of work.