'' Amici miei '' ( '' My Friends '' , 1975 ) , featuring Ugo Tognazzi , Adolfo Celi , Gastone Moschin , Duilio Del Prete and Philippe Noiret , was one of the most successful films in Italy and confirmed Monicelli 's genius in mixing humour , irony and bitter understanding of the human condition . The film was popular to the point that some lines are today turned into well established idiomatic expression ( " la supercazzola " ) , and even a programming language ( " monicelli " ) has been created using a syntax based on film quotes . His 1976 film '' Caro Michele '' won him the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 26th Berlin International Film Festival . Dramatic accents were predominant in the '' Un borghese piccolo piccolo '' ( '' A Very Little Man '' , 1978 ) , but he turned again to more cheerful comedy and attention to historical events from a popular , intimate point of view with '' Il Marchese del Grillo '' ( 1981 ) . Both films featured Alberto Sordi at his best , the latter leading Monicelli to his third Silver Bear for Best Director award at the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival
26th Berlin International Film Festival
26th Berlin International Film Festival
Mario Monicelli