Alfonso Arau

Alfonso Arau Incháustegui, born on 11 January 1932, is a renowned Mexican filmmaker and actor. He has been a significant figure in both Mexican and Hollywood productions for over four decades, capturing international attention with his breakthrough in the 1992 film, Like Water for Chocolate, based on the novel penned by his then-wife Laura Esquivel. Arau has showcased his exceptional skills in a range of films such as A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Picking Up the Pieces (2000), The Magnificent Ambersons (2002), and Zapata: El sueño del héroe (2004). He has bagged five Ariel Award, including Best Director for Like Water for Chocolate and has been nominated for the renowned BAFTA award. Arau, the son of a physician, directed films like Zapata: The Dream of a Hero, A Walk in the Clouds, A Painted House and played various unique roles. His notable appearances include roles in movies like The Wild Bunch, Three Amigos, Used Cars, and Romancing the Stone. He has also appeared in various American TV series and plays. In 2004, the Santa Fe Film Festival celebrated Arau for his contributions in cinema. In 2010, he directed the Italian-language movie, 'The Trick in the Sheet' and starred in 'The Treasure Hunt:An Interactive Adventure' in 2011. He also worked on a range of films in various roles like director, writer, and actor.