Award winning international film director Breno Silveira passed away last Saturday, May 14 while on set directing his latest film.
Brazilian news sources reported that the 58-year-old award-winning veteran director died on set while shooting scenes for the film production “Dona Vitria” in Permanbuco, after suffering a heart attack.
VimBuzz reported that Silveira “became ill in the morning and developed tachycardia. He was bought to the city’s lone hospital, where he died around 10:45am.”
Silveira was credited as one of Brazil’s greatest film directors. His production company, Conspiracao Filmes said Silveira was ‘a symbol of Brazilian culture and art.’
He studied Cinema at the Ecole Louis Lumiere in Paris and began his career as a director of photography.
His first feature film “Dois Filhos de Francisco” [‘Two sons of Francisco”] released in 2005, reached an audience of almost six million people in theatres, making Silveira Brazil’s Oscar candidate that year. The film remains one of Brazil’s biggest blockbuster productions in the past 25 years.
Silveira directed the film ‘Era Uma Vez’ [‘Once Upon a Time in Rio’] which was selected for the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008. His film ‘Beira do Caminho’ [‘Along the Way’] won five awards at the Cine FE Festival in 2012 which included ‘Best film’, ‘Best screenplay’ and ‘Best director.’
In 2012, his film ‘Gonzaga – de Pai pra Filho [‘Gonzaga’] also won five Grand awards in the Brazilian Cinema including ‘Best film’, ‘Best director’ and ‘Best actor.’
His work on the series Fox Brasil between 2016 and 2020 landed Silveira a nomination for an International Emmy for ‘Best Drama Series.’
Breno Silveira has left an impressive mark on the film industry with his incredible talent and ‘genius.’
News of Silveira’s passing has heavily impacted family, friends and colleagues, and the film industry.
Singer and actress Zez Motta paid tribute to Silveira on social media, saying
“It is very sad to receive the news of the departure of Breno Silveira, an incredible director, and filmmaker with whom I have had the privilege to work. At 58 he is leaving us and leaves behind brilliant works in Brazilian cinema as well.”
Musician Luciano Camargo also paid respect to Silveira on Instagram,
“It is with immeasurable sadness that this genius left today but leaves behind the legacy of those who have made art their way of life.”
Breno Silveira is survived by his wife and two daughters.
