campana was born near faenza in the small town of marradi, which is found in the apennines along the border between the regions of emilia-romagna and tuscany. his father giovanni, who was always affectionate and understanding with dino, was an elementary school principal, and forthright member of the community, but had a weak and neurotic character. his mother, fanny luti, came from a wealthy family but was an eccentric and compulsive woman, affected by mental illness. she would often wander the hills, forgetting about family duties, but was overly attached to dino's brother manlio, born in 1888. after his younger brother arrived, dino was overlooked by his mother and had to fight for her affection.