I like this director a lot.
re-GI-sta — stress on second syllable. The 'g' before 'i' is soft /dʒ/ like in 'gist'.
Express appreciation for a director when discussing films. Knowing director names impresses Italian cinema-goers. Also used when checking listings and noticing a familiar name.
'Regista' (director) is from 'reggere' (to govern, to control). Both male and female directors are 'il/la regista'. Key Italian directors: Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, Michelangelo Antonioni (classics); Paolo Sorrentino, Matteo Garrone, Alice Rohrwacher (contemporary).
Ho visto tutti i film di questo regista.
I've seen all this director's films.
Stronger statement of fandom.
Non conoscevo questo regista.
I didn't know this director.
Common when discovering new talent.
Il suo stile è inconfondibile.
His/her style is unmistakeable.
Analytical comment on a director's visual signature.
Italian directors are often household names in Italy in a way that is unusual in other countries. Asking an Italian about their favourite 'regista' will almost always produce a passionate, detailed answer.