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Hispanic filmmaking is alive and well. Directors of Hispanic origins have had a long history in film, often exploring topics that shed a light on our pasts and histories with inventive approaches and revolutionary techniques. While Mexican filmmakers have long been Hollywood favorites, there are many filmmakers from Spain and South America that have made films that have left a staple in the industry. While these stories may not be as popular in Hollywood, they’re worth seeking out, broadening your palette for art and showing you that there are a million ways to tell a story.
Scroll down to have a look at 7 Hispanic directors you should know about:
© GettyImagesGuillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro is one of the most famous filmmakers in the world, period. He’s won Academy Awards and his films have created a genre in itself. Still, underneath all of the awards and the talk, del Toro remains an incredibly important figure, someone who makes weird films and loves the medium. From producer to director to screenwriter, del Toro has been involved in many films over the course of his life, from writing the scripts of The Hobbit films, to helming his own Netflix series, to ensuring animation is a well-respected art. His work includes “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Shape of Water,” “Nightmare Alley,” and more. He’s set to direct a “Frankenstein” adaptation.
© GettyImagesAlfonso Cuaron
Alfonso Cuaron is another name that film fans of all origins are well acquainted with. Still, you can’t make a ‘best of’ list without including him. Cuaron began his career in Mexico, directing shorts and films that gathered him acclaim, including “A Little Princess.” Everything changed with “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” a film that launched the his international career and also the carees of its lead stars, Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. The rest is history. Cuaron directed the best “Harry Potter” adaptation, and revered films like “Children of Men.” After years working in Hollywood, Cuaron made a return to Mexico with his most personal film, “Roma.”
© GettyImagesPedro Almodovar
Pedro Almodovar has long made films that could have only been made by him. Colorful, queer, and unique, the Spanish filmmaker is incredibly prolific, acquiring international acclaim without leaving his native Spain. He’s launched the careers of endless stars, among them Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas. His films include “Pain and Glory,” “Volver,” “All About My Mother,” and much more.
© GettyImagesPablo Larrain
Born in Chile, Pablo Larrain is a director with an interest in politics and history, taking an interest in historical figures like Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Pablo Neruda. Over the past years, he’s worked with actors like Kristen Stewart, Natalie Portman, and soon, Angelina Jolie. His upcoming project is “Maria,” starring Jolie as the opera singer Maria Callas.
© GettyImagesPatricia Cardoso
The Colombian filmmaker has been involved in the industry for years. Her film “Real Women Have Curves” is referenced as one of the most important Latin films ever made, becoming a critical and box office success that also launched the career of America Ferrera. She now works in television, having directed episodes from “The Society” and “Queen Sugar.”
© GettyImagesLucrecia Martel
Born in Argentina, Lucrecia Martel is one of the most beloved South American directors working today. Her work is known for its ethereal and surreal qualities, often approaching stories in unique and thought provoking ways. Some of her best work includes “La Cienaga,” and “Zama.”
© GettyImagesSebastian Lelio
Born in Argentina and raised in Chile, Sebastian Lelio has made some incredible films in Spanish and English. Tackling topics like ageism, LGBTQ issues, and the perspectives of women, his films include “Gloria,” “Gloria Bell,” an English remake of his own film starring Julianne Moore, “Disobedience,” “A Fantastic Woman,” and more.
