The recent passing of Joanna Bongiovanni, founder/executive producer of Cielo Films, Santa Monica, prompted assorted e-mails and remembrances to SHOOT. Bongiovanni died on Oct. 15 due to complications from a rare form of thyroid cancer (SHOOT, 10/31, p. 1). She was 53.
Although she maintained a low profile, Bongiovanni was among the first in the U.S. commercialmaking business to become active internationally. She diversified into European and Latin American production well before it was fashionable to do so. She also tapped into feature and TV directorial talent for spots prior to crossover becoming prevalent.
But perhaps most telling in terms of her legacy are the remembrances of those directors with whom she worked at Cielo. Director David Lynch issued a brief statement, which simply read, "I love Joanna Bongiovanni and I always will."
Filmmaker Wim Wenders recollected, "Joanna Bongiovanni had taste. She was a lot of fun to be around. She was resourceful. She was very intelligent. She was tactful. She was modest. She was honest. She was full of humanity. She was a class act, by any standards, not just the commercial industry. Her sudden death is a terrible loss for all of us who knew her."
Bongiovanni’s last directorial signing was Guzman (SHOOT, 10/31, p. 7), a team consisting of Russell Peacock and Connie Hansen. The latter related, "Russell and I were really saddened to hear Joanna had died. Most people that are writing about Joanna have probably had the good fortune to have known Joanna for years, or worked with her on numerous projects. Russell and I unfortunately had only one meeting with Joanna, but what was interesting is that it was, for me, a really important and momentous moment in my life. We were in Paris working, and [freelance producer] Claire [Barnier], a mutual friend, introduced us. We all decided to take a day trip to Versailles and we had a wonderful day!
"I am a firm believer," continued Hansen, "that you are introduced to major souls when you are ready to perceive them—that is what I felt about our meeting Joanna. On the road, Joanna started to talk about events in her personal and her spiritual life, which had profound meaning in my own life, in my quest for peace and spirituality. I actually got goose bumps. There was no real reason for Joanna to start talking about what she did—but she did, and I am really grateful for that opportunity to have been a part of her life."
Director Vincent Blackhawk Aamodt referred to Bongiovanni as "the reason I signed with Cielo. Joanna was such a great inspiration and had such a grasp on production—from little regional spots to big epic productions," he said. "I always felt that with Joanna on my side, there was nothing I couldn’t get accomplished. She made my job that much easier. What especially drew me to her was her interest in Latin- and Native-American stories. She went out of her way to get interesting projects. She was one-of-a-kind and I know I am a better director because of her. I will miss her, but I know she will still be guiding me along in my career."
In lieu of flowers, Bongiovanni’s family has requested that donations be made to a charity close to her heart, Friends of Familycapped, a support group for families of handicapped children (www.familycapped.com). Contributions can be made to Friends of Familycapped, 115 Oak Hollow Road, DeWitt, N.Y. 13214.
