Suzana Amaral

Suzana Amaral (born March 28, 1932 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian film director and screenwriter. She had eight children when she entered film school. In 1976 she entered NYU to further her desire to make films. A Hora da Estrela (Hour of the Star) was a Submission to the 59th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. The film is based on the novel by Clarice Lispector. It was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival, where actres Marcelia Cartaxo won the Silver Bear for Best Actress. Four years later, she was a member of the jury at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival. She is an avid follower of Bollywood films who says she wants Indian films to come to Brazil in a big way. She is also a Buddhist and has nine children.