Luiz de Barros

Luiz de Barros was born on September 12, 1893, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a descendant of a family linked to the arts, being the son of actors Álvaro Costa and Cora Costa. His maternal grandparents, Caetano Magiolli and Livia Magiolli, were also actors. He began his career as an editor in the early 1920s, and soon after, he began directing films. One of his trademarks was taking responsibility of nearly every department of the production of his films. He directed over 80 films between 1914 and 1977, covering various genres and styles. He worked with prominent actors and actresses of his time, such as Déa Selva, Jaime Costa, Custódio Mesquita, and Ítala Ferreira. He also experimented with sound, color, and special effects in his films. Some of his notable films include Alvorada da Glória (1931), Corações Sem Piloto (1944), O Cortiço (1945), Caídos do Céu (1946), and Ele, Ela, Quem? (1980). He was married to Gita de Barros, who was also an actress and producer. He died in 1982 in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 88. He is considered one of the most important and prolific filmmakers in Brazilian cinema history.