Víctor Gaviria

Víctor Manuel Gaviria González (born January 19, 1955) is a Colombian film director, writer and poet. His four feature-length films are acclaimed and have won many international awards. He is the first Colombian filmmaker to be featured at the Cannes Film Festival.

Early life

He was born on January 19, 1955 in the town of Liborina, Colombia, and raised in Medellín, the sixth of 8 siblings. He grew up during the beginning of the Colombian conflict; an ongoing civil war between the Colombian government and extremist groups and drug cartels, which led to immense violence and unrest throughout Medellín. He attended the University of Antioquia and earned a degree in psychology. Gaviria took interest in poetry, writing seven poetry books that won several awards.

He studied psychology at Antioquia University, but quit to pursue his film-making career. He joined several art collectives and met Catholic priest Luis Alberto Álvarez, who became a close friend and an important figure in his development.

Career He is known for his raw style in portraying social issues and exclusion. His method has influenced Colombian and Latin American cinema; presenting actors with no acting background, but who are natural storytellers and are actively involved in the development of the film.

Films

Awards Rodrigo D: No Future, 1990 (official selection at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival) La vendedora de rosas, 1998 (official selection at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival) Sumas y restas, 2004 The Animal's Wife, 2016

Books