Oscar-nominated Female Director Lina Wertmüller Dies at 93

Italian film director Lina Wertmüller, the first woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for directing, died at 93, local news media reported Thursday.

Wertmüller began her career in movies as an assistant to Federico Fellini before moving on to become the queen of Italian comedy with a series of films in the 1960s and 1970s. She is considered the Italy's most famous female director.

Her long list of films had a vibrant sense of humor and also revolved around political and social themes, from fascism and sexual violence to class struggle, often featuring a down-on-his-luck everyman character.

"Italy mourns the death of Lina Wertmüller, a director whose class and unmistakable style left an everlasting mark on Italian and world cinema," said Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.

In 1977, Wertmüller broke barriers, becoming the first woman to be nominated for a best-directing Oscar, for her tragicomedy "Seven Beauties".

The movie told the story about an army deserter during World War II trying to survive his time in a concentration camp.

Another female director would not be nominated until 1994, when Jane Campion -- who has called Wertmüller a "warrior" -- was given the nod for "The Piano".