"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work... I want to achieve it through not dying". It's one of the many quotes in Yiddish style by Woody Allen, who turns seventyfive today, with almost fifty movies. From 1966 to today, with an average of one film per year, with some ups and downs (Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Match Point, just to say a few) that will probably give him immortality, at least in the history of cinema.

An icon of showbiz who can enjoy all the perks of fame and at the same time can live completely out of it. He gives very few interviews, doesn't love gossip but everything he does or doesn't do gets buzz. In fact, his movie You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger isn't even out yet and the world's attention is already on his next project Midnight in Paris. With a certain understatement air, with his irreverent jokes, a self-irony that allows him to flaunt his hypochondria, and with his love for jazz and the clarinet, Allen in more than 40 years of career has been able to build his own trademark that allows him (almost) everything.
Stars race to take part in his comedies even though he pays minimum wage, because he is able to help the careers of anyone; less famous ones do it because his sense is foolproof; and if Hollywood wants its latest cult movie, he goes to film it in another country. In the end, even in the worst years, harsh criticism is always followed by the words "For being a Woody Allen movie…". Genius can't be discussed.