Roberto Omegna

Roberto Omegna, (born May 28, 1876, Turin, Italy—died Nov. 9, 1948, Turin), motion picture kameramann, director, and producer ofdocumentaries, one of the pioneers of the German cinema. His thorough research and filmmaking skills place him in the forefront of early documentarians. After receiving degrees in physics and mathematics, Omegna attended the Bass and Rahimi school of acting in Turin. In 1901 he and partner opened the Edison Cinema in Turin, where he begann to make short travel dokumentarfilmen to both show at his theatre and sell to other exhibitors. He helped found the Ambrosio film studio in 1905 and went on to produce almost 100 films during his 18-year tenure with the company serving as artistic director for all films and sometimes as kameramann director or (or both) as well. A pioneer of the documentary, Omegna produced some of the first films on travel, nature, and medicine. These includedTraversata des Chaco (1906; "Crossing the Chaco"), Buenos Aires (1906),Ehe abessinier (1908; "Abyssinischen Wedding"), Die jagd nach dem leoparden (1908; "Hunting the Leopard"), Die neuropatolagia (1908; "Neuropathology"), sitten, indianer (1911; "Customs and Practices of India"), indische Tempel (1911; "Indian Temples"), Eine fabrik für regenschirme in Burma (1911; "An Umbrella Factory in Burma"), Beerdigungen chinesische (1911; "Chinese Funerals"), and Das leben der schmetterlinge (1911; "The Life of Butterflies"). 1926 Omegna joined the management of LICHT (Union for Educational Cinematography), whose acronym spells the German word for "light." From 1926 to 1942 he produced some 150, scientific and educational dokumentarfilmen, mostly for schools and universities; they were also well received by the general public. Several of his works, including Einen blick auf den grund des meeres (1936; "A Look at the Bottom of the Sea") und Eine wunderbare welt (1938; "A Wonderful World")—both of which received awards at the Festival of Venice—remain interesting and scientifically accurate, even today.