Fina Torres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fina Torres
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | October 9, 1951 |
| Nationality | Venezuelan |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter |
|
Notable work
|
Oriana, Woman on Top |
Fina Torres (born Josefina Torres Benedetti on October 9, 1951) is a film director and writer from Venezuela. She became famous around the world after winning a big award called the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1985. This was for her very first movie, Oriana.
Many people know her best for her films Oriana, Celestial Clockwork, and Woman on Top, which starred Penélope Cruz. Fina Torres lives in Venezuela.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Fina Torres was born in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. When she was younger, she studied different creative subjects like design, photography, and journalism. By the time she was 17, she was already working as a photojournalist, taking pictures for news stories.
In 1970, she went to the Neumann Institute for Design to study graphic design. She also took classes in social communication at Andrés Bello Catholic University.
Moving to Paris
In 1974, Fina Torres moved to Paris, France. There, she earned a special degree in filmmaking, focusing on directing and editing movies. She studied at a famous film school called the Institut des hautes études cinématographiques.
Fina Torres spent the next 28 years of her life working in the film industry. After living in Paris, she also lived in the United States, Mexico, and Singapore before returning to her home country, Venezuela.
Film Career
While Fina Torres lived in France, she gained a lot of experience in filmmaking. She worked as a photographer, a camera operator, an editor, and a script supervisor.
In 1983, she wrote a movie script with Antoine Lacomblez. She was able to get money to make the film from both Venezuela and France. This led to her first movie, Oriana.
Oriana and Early Success
Oriana was Fina Torres's first film as a director. It was a big success! She won the Caméra d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival for it. A film critic from The New York Times described Oriana as a "gothic romance," which means it had a mysterious and dramatic feel.
Celestial Clockwork
In 1996, Fina Torres released her second film, Celestial Clockwork. This movie was shown at important film events like the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival.
A famous film critic, Roger Ebert, wrote about it in 1996. ..... He even suggested it was so good, it could have been considered one of the best works by another famous director, Almodóvar.
Woman on Top
In 2000, Fina Torres directed Woman on Top. This movie was made by Fox Searchlight and starred the well-known actress Penélope Cruz. The film was chosen to be part of the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996.
A critic from Variety magazine, Lisa Nesselson, wrote about the film in 2000. She called it "a fantastical romp with a buoyant pace, exotic locations, a finger-popping score, appealing leads and spicy cooking demonstrations." She also said it was "a contempo fairy tale about thwarted romance" that kept a "bubbly, consistently inventive rhythm."
Recent Films
In 2010, Fina Torres won the award for best feature film at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival for her movie Habana Eva. This film also won the Best Venezuelan Film prize at the Margarita Film Festival in Venezuela.
In 2011, she helped write the script for a romantic comedy called From Prada to Nada. This movie was based on the classic book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.
In 2014, she directed Liz in September. This film was an adaptation of an American play.
Fina Torres is a member of important groups for writers and directors, including the Writers Guild of America and the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (SACD) of France.
Themes in Her Films
In 1995, Fina Torres was seen as part of a new trend in Latin American movies. Instead of focusing only on political topics, these films explored more common themes. These included relationships and the challenges between old traditions and modern life.
Fina Torres's films often feature strong female characters. These characters often challenge traditional ideas about how women should act.
Awards and Recognition
Fina Torres has won many awards for her films throughout her career.
For Oriana
- May 1985: Caméra d'Or (Golden Camera) at the Cannes Festival
- 1985: Bronze Hugo, Chicago International Film Festival
- 1985: Catalina de Oro (Golden Catalina) for best film, Cartagena International Film Festival
- 1985: Catalina de Oro (Golden Catalina) for best script, Cartagena International Film Festival
- Glauber Rocha's award for Best Spanish language film, Figueira da Foz International Film Festival
- August 1985: Revista Mujeres' award during the Figueira da Foz International Film Festival
- Honour Mention of the Catholic Office-Figueira da Foz International Film Festival
- 1985: Honour Mention of the Jury and honour mention of the Catholic Office, MANHEIM Film Festival
- 1986: National Awards (premios municipales de Caracas) for best film, best director, best photography, best actress
- Ateneo de Caracas award
For Celestial Clockwork
- 1995: Prix du public during the Namur Film Festival
- 1996: Grand Jury Award for outstanding narrative feature, Outfest Los Angeles Festival
- 1996: Anac National Award for best Venezuelan film
- 1996: Special award during the Washington Film Festival
For Woman on Top
- 2000: Official selection "Un Certain Regard" during the Cannes Film Festival
- 2001: Nominated for best director during the Alma Awards
For Habana Eva
- 2010: Best film during the New York International Latino Film Fest
- 2010: 2nd audience award during the Los Angeles International Latino Film Fest
- 2010: Best film audience award during the Amazonia International Film Fest (Brazil)
- 2010: Best film during the International Latino Margarita Film Fest
- 2010: Best supporting actress during the Mérida International Film Fest
- 2010: Best actress during the Cines Unidos Award
- 2011: Mesquite award for best film San Antonio Film Fest
- Best actress during the Prakriti Maduro Punta Del Este Film Fest (Uruguay)
For Liz in September
- Audience Award for best women's feature at Atlanta's Out On Film LGBT Film Festival
- Audience Award for best feature at the SouthWest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
- 2015: Best feature during Atlanta's Out On Film
- 2015: Best women's feature Festival Les Gais Cine Mad (España)
- 2015: Audience Award 2015 during the Festival Sant Andreu de la Barca
- 2015: Best Foreign Film during the Out Film CT: Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
- Best Feature Audience Award during the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Filmography
- Oriana (1985)
- Celestial Clockwork (1996)
- Woman on Top (2000)
- Habana Eva (2008)
- Liz in September (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Fina Torres para niños
