Best Brazilian Directors of All Time (Melhores Diretores Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos)
by MagicSenna | created - 27 Sep 2012 | updated - 02 Oct 2012 | PublicMelhores diretores brasileiros, seja na televisão, cinema ou teatro.
Ordenado por ordem de nascimento.
1. Anselmo Duarte
Writer | O Pagador de Promessas
Duarte left his hometown, at 14, and moved to São Paulo where he started working as a typist in an accounting office. In the early 1940s, after graduating in Economics, he went to Rio de Janeiro, where he had a bit-part on It's All True (1943). He then made some appearances in radio soap operas and...
2. Carlos Manga
Director | Um Só Coração
Carlos Manga was born on January 6, 1928 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a director and producer, known for One Heart (2004), Vamos com Calma (1956) and O Marginal (1974). He was married to Inalda de Carvalho and Denise. He died on September 17, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de ...
3. Luiz Carlos Barreto
Writer | Casa de Areia
Luiz Carlos Barreto was born on May 20, 1928 in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil. He is a producer and writer, known for Casa de Areia (2005), Isto É Pelé (1974) and Four Days in September (1997).
4. Nelson Pereira dos Santos
Director | Memórias do Cárcere
Nelson Pereira dos Santos was born on October 22, 1928 in São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and writer, known for Memórias do Cárcere (1984), O Amuleto de Ogum (1974) and Tenda dos Milagres (1977). He was married to Ivelise Ferreira. He died on April 21, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, ...
5. Walter Hugo Khouri
Director | O Último Êxtase
Walter Hugo Khouri was born on October 21, 1929 in São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and writer, known for O Último Êxtase (1973), O Anjo da Noite (1974) and Iguassu: The Devil's Throat (1960). He died on June 27, 2003 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
6. Antunes Filho
Director | Compasso de Espera
Antunes Filho was born on December 12, 1929 in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. He was a director and writer, known for Compasso de Espera (1969), Grande Teatro Tupi (1951) and O Contador de Histórias (1955). He died on May 2, 2019 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
7. Ruy Guerra
Director | Estorvo
Ruy Guerra left his studies in Portugal for to go to the School of Cinema in Paris. After having worked as assistant for various French directors he moved to Brasil and participated with his first two films in the birth of the "Cinema Novo": "Os Cafajestes (1962)" and "Os Fuzis (1964)" which won ...
8. Antonio Abujamra
Actor | Festa
Antonio Abujamra was born on September 15, 1932 in Ourinhos, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and actor, known for Festa (1989), Super Plá (1969) and Os Adolescentes (1981). He died on April 28, 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
9. Herval Rossano
Director | A Escrava Isaura
Herval Rossano was born on April 23, 1933 in Campos dos Goitacases, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a director and actor, known for The Slave Isaura (2004), Caminos cruzados (1994) and A Sucessora (1978). He was married to Mayara Magri, Nívea Maria and Doris Guerrero. He died on May 8, 2007 in São ...
10. Eduardo Coutinho
Director | Edifício Master
Eduardo Coutinho was born on May 11, 1933 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and writer, known for Edifício Master (2002), Santo Forte (1999) and Babilônia 2000 (1999). He was married to Maria das Dores de Oliveira. He died on February 2, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
11. Ademar Guerra
Director | Grande Teatro Tupi
Ademar Guerra was born on September 10, 1933 in Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and producer, known for Grande Teatro Tupi (1951), Urgente (Um Namorado Para Sheila) (1959) and Gente Como a Gente (1963). He died on February 19, 1993 in São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
12. Walter Avancini
Director | Rabo-de-Saia
Walter Avancini was born on April 18, 1935 in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and producer, known for Rabo-de-Saia (1984), Boca de Ouro (1990) and A Deusa Vencida (1965). He was married to Débora Fuchs. He died on September 26, 2001 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
13. Domingos de Oliveira
Writer | Todas as Mulheres do Mundo
Domingos de Oliveira was born on September 28, 1935 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a writer and actor, known for Todas as Mulheres do Mundo (1966), Amores (1998) and Barata Ribeiro, 716 (2016). He was married to Priscilla Rozenbaum, Leila Diniz and Nazareth Ohana. He died on ...
14. José Celso Martinez Corrêa
Actor | O Rei da Vela
José Celso Martinez Corrêa was born on March 30, 1937 in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. He was an actor and director, known for O Rei da Vela (1983), 25 (1977) and Prata Palomares (1972). He died on July 6, 2023 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
15. Daniel Filho
Director | Malu Mulher
Daniel Filho - Responsible for triggering an aesthetic revolution in Brazilian TV during the 1970s, he became a Midas of popular cinema in Brazil during the 2000s. He created one blockbuster after another, many adapted from the theatre. The "Se Eu Fosse Você" (If I Were You) franchise (2006-09), ...
16. Zelito Viana
Director | Avaeté - Semente da Vingança
Zelito Viana was born on May 5, 1938 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil as José Viana Paula de Oliveira. He is a director and producer, known for Avaeté - Semente da Vingança (1985), Morte e Vida Severina (1977) and Villa-Lobos - Uma Vida de Paixão (2000). He is married to Vera Maria de Paula.
He was ...
17. Walter Lima Jr.
Director | A Ostra e o Vento
Walter Lima Jr. was born on November 26, 1938 in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for The Oyster and the Wind (1997), Os Desafinados (2008) and Plantation Boy (1965). He was previously married to Telma Costa and Anecy Rocha.
18. Glauber Rocha
Director | Terra em Transe
He studied Law. He also directed theatre pieces, wrote movie criticisms and took part in the creation and development of the 'cinema novo' movement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, becoming its theoretical leader and first embassador in Europe. After "Barravento (1962)", a trilogy of films and "Antonio ...
19. João Batista de Andrade
Director | O Homem que Virou Suco
João Batista de Andrade was born on December 14, 1939 in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for O Homem que Virou Suco (1980), Doramundo (1978) and The Next Victim (1983).
20. Carlos Diegues
Director | Xica da Silva
Carlos Diegues was born on May 19, 1940 in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. He is a producer and director, known for Xica (1976), O Maior Amor do Mundo (2006) and Better Days Ahead (1989). He has been married to Renata Maria de Almeida Magalhães since 1982. They have one child. He was previously married to ...
21. Arnaldo Jabor
Writer | Toda Nudez Será Castigada
Arnaldo Jabor was born on December 12, 1940 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a writer and director, known for All Nudity Shall Be Punished (1973), Tudo Bem (1978) and I Love You (1981). He was married to Suzana Villas Boas. He died on February 15, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
22. Celso Nunes
Actor | Flora
Celso Nunes was born in 1941 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He is an actor, known for Flora (1996), Passo a Passo com as Estrelas (1994) and Você Também Pode Dar um Presunto Legal (2006).
23. Neville de Almeida
Director | Matou a Família e Foi ao Cinema
Neville de Almeida was born in 1941 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for Killed the Family and Went to the Movies (1991), Rio Babilonia (1983) and The Seven Kittens (1980).
24. Ugo Giorgetti
Director | Festa
Ugo Giorgetti was born in 1942 in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for Festa (1989), Boleiros: Era Uma Vez o Futebol... (1998) and Sábado (1995).
25. Carlos Reichenbach
Cinematographer | Alma Corsária
Carlos Reichenbach was born on June 14, 1945 in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He was a cinematographer and actor, known for Buccaneer Soul (1996), Dois Córregos: Verdades Submersas no Tempo (1999) and Lilian M.: Relatório Confidencial (1975). He was married to Lygia ...
26. José Joffily
Director | Quem Matou Pixote?
José Joffily was born on November 27, 1945 in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. He is an actor and director, known for Who Killed Pixote? (1996), Blue Eyes (2009) and A Maldição do Sanpaku (1991).
27. Hector Babenco
Director | Carandiru
Hector Babenco was born on February 7, 1946 in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was a director and writer, known for Carandiru (2003), Pixote (1980) and Foolish Heart (1998). He was married to Bárbara Paz, Xuxa Lopes and Raquel Arnaud. He died on July 13, 2016 in São Paulo, São Paulo, ...
28. Júlio Bressane
Director | Educação Sentimental
Júlio Bressane was born on February 13, 1946 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for Sentimental Education (2013), Tabu (1982) and A Love Movie (2003).
29. Rogério Sganzerla
Director | O Bandido da Luz Vermelha
Rogério Sganzerla was born on May 4, 1946 in Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil. He was a director and writer, known for The Red Light Bandit (1968), O Signo do Caos (2005) and A Mulher de Todos (1969). He was married to Helena Ignez. He died on January 9, 2004 in São Paulo, Brazil.
30. Dennis Carvalho
Director | Celebridade
Dennis Carvalho was born on September 27, 1947 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He is a director and actor, known for Celebrity (2003), JK (2006) and Songs of Betrayal (2010).
31. Roberto Talma
Director | O Profeta
Roberto Talma was born on April 29, 1949 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was a director and producer, known for The Prophet (2006), Negócio da China (2008) and Agora é Que São Elas (2003). He was married to Maria Zilda Bethlem. He died on April 23, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, ...
32. Silvio Tendler
Director | Os anos JK - Uma Trajetória Política
Silvio Tendler was born in 1950 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for Os anos JK - Uma Trajetória Política (1981), Jango (1984) and Castro Alves - Retrato Falado do Poeta (1999).
33. Murilo Salles
Director | Como Nascem os Anjos
Murilo Salles was born in 1950 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a cinematographer and director, known for Como Nascem os Anjos (1996), Happier Than Ever (1984) and Seja o Que Deus Quiser! (2002).
34. Marcos Paulo
Director | A Indomada
Marcos Paulo was born on March 1, 1951 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was an actor and director, known for A Indomada (1997), Port of Miracles (2001) and Federal Bank Heist (2011). He was married to Antônia Fontenelle, Flávia Alessandra, Renata Sorrah, Márcia Mendes and Belisa Ribeiro. He died...
35. Wolf Maya
Director | Senhora do Destino
Wolf Maya was born on September 10, 1953 in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. He is a director and actor, known for Her Own Destiny (2004), Kubanacan (2003) and Hilda Hurricane (1998).
36. Guel Arraes
Director | O Auto da Compadecida
Guel Arraes was born on December 12, 1953 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for A Dog's Will (2000), Lisbela and the Prisoner (2003) and Grande Sertão (2023). He has been married to Carolina Jabor since 2003. He was previously married to Virginia Cavendish and ...
37. Elias Andreato
Actor | Beleza Pura
Elias Andreato was born on March 8, 1955 in Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil. He is an actor and writer, known for Pure Beauty (2008), Irmãos de Fé (2004) and Sai de Baixo (1996).
38. Bruno Barreto
Director | Flores raras
Bruno Barreto was born on March 16, 1955 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and producer, known for Reaching for the Moon (2013), Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976) and Four Days in September (1997). He was previously married to Amy Irving.
39. Fernando Meirelles
Director | The Constant Gardener
Fernando Meirelles was born in a middle class family in São Paulo City, Brazil.
He studied architecture at the university of São Paulo. At the same time he developed an interest in filmmaking. With a group of friends he started producing experimental videos and video art. They won a huge number of ...
40. Walter Salles
Director | Central do Brasil
Walter Salles was born on April 12, 1956 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and producer, known for Central Station (1998), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) and Terra Estrangeira (1995). He is married to Maria Klabin. They have one child.
41. Jayme Monjardim
Director | Pantanal
Jayme Monjardim was born on May 19, 1956 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He is a director and producer, known for Planet of the Pantanal (1990), The Clone (2001) and Olga (2004). He has been married to Tânia Mara since March 10, 2007. They have one child. He was previously married to Daniela ...
42. Jorge Furtado
Writer | O Homem Que Copiava
Jorge Furtado was born on June 9, 1959 in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He is a writer and director, known for The Man Who Copied (2003), Houve uma Vez Dois Verões (2002) and Meu Tio Matou um Cara (2004).
43. Luiz Fernando Carvalho
Director | LavourArcaica
Carvalho studied Architecture and Literature. For cinema, still very young, in 1984, wrote and directed the short film "A Espera", based on "A Lover's Discourse: Fragments ", by Roland Barthes, which won the best film, actress and photography awards [Concha de Oro] at the 34th Festival de San ...
44. Ricardo Waddington
Director | A Favorita
Ricardo Waddington was born on December 22, 1960 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a director and producer, known for The Favorite (2008), Precious Pearl (2013) and Cabocla (2004). He was previously married to Helena Ranaldi and Lídia Brondi.
45. Cao Hamburger
Writer | O Ano em Que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias
Cao Hamburger was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Since the 1990s, he has divided his time into film and television creations.
He has won two International Emmy Awards. In 2019, for the Young Hearts series, created and written by him. In 2014, for the series Pedro e Bianca, created and supervised by him. ...
46. Beto Brant
Director | O Invasor
Beto Brant was born in 1964 in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. He is a director and writer, known for The Trespasser (2001), Belly Up (1997) and Cão Sem Dono (2007).
47. José Padilha
Producer | Tropa de Elite
He is best known for directing the Brazilian critical and financial successes Elite Squad and Elite Squad: The Enemy Within and the 2014 remake of RoboCop. He has won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for Elite Squad in 2008. He is also the producer and director of the ...
48. Andrucha Waddington
Director | Casa de Areia
Andrucha Waddington (born January 20,1970) is a Brazilian film director, producer, and screenwriter.
His several film credits include "Me You Them" (2000), Mention spéciale of Un Certain Regard in Cannes, an Official Selection of Toronto and Sundance Film Festivals, Brazil's official entry to the ...
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