Walter Salles

Walter Moreira Salles Júnior, known as Walter Salles, is a notable Brazilian filmmaker, born on 12 April 1956 in Rio de Janeiro. He made his mark in cinema with his film 'Terra Estrangeira' ('Foreign Land') in 1995, which was acclaimed locally and selected by over 40 film festivals worldwide. His 1998 film 'Central Station' garnered international acclaim, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, becoming the first Brazilian to win this honour. Salles explored themes of atavistic violence and brotherly love in his 2001 film 'Abril Despedaçado' ('Behind the Sun').

His most significant international success came with the film 'Diarios de Motocicleta' ('The Motorcycle Diaries'). His first non-Portuguese direction, this film on the life of young Ernesto Guevara gained popularity across Latin America and Europe. 2005 saw Salles' first Hollywood production, 'Dark Water'. In 2006, a segment he wrote and directed became part of a collaborative French film, 'Paris, je t'aime'. His 2008 film 'Linha de Passe' was a narrative about four impoverished brothers grappling to realize their dreams and won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite a hiatus, he continues his filmmaking journey, with a release in 2024 titled 'I'm Still Here'('Ainda Estou Aqui'), based on political turmoil during the Brazilian military dictatorship.