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Giuseppe Laganà, the gentleman of Italian animation
There is a sense of loss coming over Italian animation world, after Giuseppe Laganà passed away last 3rd of January.
He had fought against a long illness with great strength, supported by his wife Annita and his beloved children.

He was one of the most talented artists and a well known director of animated tv series.
Laganà was born in Milan where he started his career with Pierluigi de Mas at Cartoons Film studio. During his career, after a period of collaboration with Roberto Gavioli at Gamma Film, he spent a long time working alongside Bruno Bozzetto, taking part in the realization of the feature film “West and Soda”. He was also involved in the production of "VIP my Brother Superman" and “Allegro non troppo” by Bozzetto.
In 1991 Laganà opened his own business ANIMATION STUDIO, that became THE ANIMATION BAND srl in 1996 focused on producing films, tv series, opening sequences, advertising films. He was the director of the Italian tv series “Lupo Alberto”, co-produced by The Animation Band and Rai Fiction in 1998. He also directed “Sandokan”, “Spaghetti family”, “Felix”, “Farhat the prince of the desert” and other tv productions.

Matteo Valenti, screenplayer, remembers that period of time: “In the mid-nineties Giuseppe decided to expand his animation studio in Milan. He had a dream: calling many young professionals in order to create a close team for Lupo Alberto first, then Corto Maltese productions. At that time I was working in a shopping centre and I used to call him at break time to have some advices on audio and video editing. One day he said: “Listen, take a train to Milan! We’re about to start with some animation series, come and see, you’ll decide then. The day after I joined him and decided to stay and work with the friends of Colourland company.”

The animation world looses a sensitive author and a prolific director, but also a gentleman for his kindness and unselfishness towards everybody.
He used to be very approachable and well-liked by colleagues and young professionals, showing a willingness to exchange ideas and advices with anyone. The proof of that comes from other professionals’ memories that have been collected.

Igor Chimisso, character designer, was called as a new arising talent by Giuseppe Laganà to take part in the production of Corto Maltese.
“I hardly knew him, but he showed he believed in me. He was able to see in my drawings that “realism” which is difficult to find in animation, particularly fitting Corto Maltese and Sandokan” says Chimisso.
He learnt a lot from Laganà: “Never growing fond of an idea that doesn’t work, it is necessary to simplify and reach the synthesis. … simplicity, speed, courage, humility, that was Giuseppe’s teaching.”

According to Monica Valentini Golfetto, character designer and animator, Giuseppe Laganà leaves an indelible mark in the world of Italian animation and in anyone he met. “I had the occasion of working with him and I can say I met a honest professional and a person with very good manners – she says – In a particularly difficult moment in my life he showed a deep sensitiveness, reflected in a long encouraging letter.”

“Ten days after the delivery of my film of diploma at the school of cinema – tells illustrator and animator Patrizia Russo – I faced my first job interview and then started to work in the world of animation… thanks Giuseppe.“

Despite his outstanding career, his attitude was always natural and open to consider other people’s thoughts.
“Hi Giorgio, I’m calling you because I know you can see the problem and you’ve got the right enthusiasm to face it… - That was the incipit of Giuseppe’s calls during the last years – says Giorgio Scorza, owner at Movimenti Productions – We used to talk about job, new challenges, issues regarding animation world… they were always positive talks because he was just longing for comparing his own ideas with the others’, and that’s what made him a special person.”

On Saturday 30th January, 4.30 pm, Bruno Bozzetto and Silver present the new exhibition dedicated to Giuseppe Laganà, at WOW Museum, Viale Campania 12, Milan.