Trivia

Directed two Oscar nominated performances: Fernanda Montenegro and Fernanda Torres, mother and daughter, respectively.

Protested against the arrest of Jafar Panahi, detained on 1 March 2010. "Jafar Panahi is a uniquely sensitive artist. As a Brazilian filmmaker, I came to admire and to learn from the memorable films that he has directed, such as 'The White Balloon' and 'The Circle'. The fact that such an important artist cannot express himself freely and is now under arrest in his own country is not only an act of violence against Jafar Panahi and his family, but also against all who admire his work and support freedom of expression throughout the world".

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002.

After studying economics at the Pontificia Universidade Católica in Rio de Janeiro, he went to the University of California, where he graduated with a degree in audiovisual communication.

Along with Glauber Rocha, Carlos Diegues and Nelson Pereira dos Santos is one of four Brazilian directors to had three of their movies selected to the Palme D'or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English and French fluently.

Member of the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2000.

Is an avid racing fan and competes in the Brazilian GT3 championship.

One of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.

Although considers car racing just a hobby, he has been a race car pilot for 30 years. Competed as a kart pilot (winning twice Rio de Janeiro's championship) and Stock Car Brasil. In 2008, came back to professional competitions running, alongside pilot Xande Negrão, in the GT3 Brasil car race.

In 2003, was voted by UK newspaper, The Guardian, one of the 40 Best Directors in the World. (#23)

As a big fan of car racing, his idol is the former Indy and Formula 1 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi.