Nelson Villagra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nelson Villagra
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 9 August 1937 Chillán, Chile
|
| Occupation | Actor, director, author |
| Years active | 1967-present |
Nelson Villagra (born August 9, 1937) is a famous actor, writer, and director from Chile. He is known as one of the best actors in Chilean movies. Many people in Chile remember him for his amazing performance as a troubled character in the film El Chacal de Nahueltoro (1969). He also worked with director Raúl Ruiz on several movies like Tres tristes tigres (1968).
In 1973, Nelson Villagra was forced to leave Chile. This happened because of a military takeover that led to a new government. After spending some time in Europe, he moved to Cuba. There, he worked with important Latin American directors. He won the Best Actor award for his role in The Last Supper (1976) at the 1978 Biarritz Film Festival. In 1979, he played a military officer in the film Prisioneros desaparecidos. For this role, he won the Best Actor award at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Contents
Early Life and First Films
Nelson Garrido Villagra was born in Chillán, southern Chile, on August 9, 1937. His journey into acting began early, at age 13, in 1950. He joined the School of Artistic Culture of Chillán. He also worked on a local radio station. Later that year, he joined a cultural group. This group helped start the Chillán Experimental Theatre and the Chillán Choir. These early experiences greatly shaped his acting skills.
In 1955, he was accepted into the School of Theatre at the University of Chile. He already had a strong background in theatre. This helped him stand out among other students. As a new student, he got a chance to replace a professional actor in a play. It was a small part, but critics praised his performance. They saw him as a promising new talent for Chilean theatre.
After graduating in 1958, he joined the Teatro de la Universidad de Concepción (TUC). This theatre group was becoming very professional. Nelson Villagra worked with two important teachers there. They helped him develop his unique talent. He stayed with TUC for seven years. During this time, his skills were noticed. This led him to start acting in films.
In 1965, Villagra moved to Santiago de Chile with his family. He joined the Theatre ICTUS. One of his most memorable roles there was in the play Slow Dance Towards the Gallows. He played an African-American character named Randall.
Later, Villagra worked with different theatre groups in Santiago. He also acted on television. He appeared in seven Chilean films. The most famous ones were Three Sad Tigers (1968) and El Chacal de Nahueltoro (1969).
On September 11, 1973, his acting career in Chile was stopped. He was forced to leave the country and went to Paris. This happened because of his social and political activities. He also spent time in Rome. From 1975 to 1986, he lived in Havana, Cuba. He was very active in Cuban cinema during this time.
He acted in seven films in Cuba. The most important ones were The Last Supper and Black River. He also worked on several films made with other countries. These films were shot in Cuba, Mexico, France, and Venezuela. In 1986, he moved to Montreal, Canada. There, he married Begoña Zabala, an actress from Basque Country. He acted in four films for Quebec cinema.
Later Career and Return to Chile
In 1987, Nelson Villagra won a theatre contest in Montreal. His play, "Rara Avis," was performed there. In 1988, he was allowed to return to Chile. The ban on 100 people who had been forced to leave was lifted. His name was on that list. In 1989, he went back to Chile for a short time. He was going to make a film, but it didn't happen. However, he was warmly welcomed by actors, filmmakers, and thinkers.
Back in Montreal in 1989, Villagra was invited to act in his first French-language film, Corbeau. He played a main role. That same year, he acted in another Québécois film, Cargo. In 1990, he was in Artikos, a film made for the BBC in London. In 1992, Villagra decided to put on his own play in Montreal. It was called The Lord of Light. He wrote it himself. He then took the play on a three-month tour in Chile. The tour even reached Ancud, Chiloé.
He visited Chile again in 1992. This was for the Viña del Mar Film Festival. He received a special award and tribute there.
After seeing how well his play The Lord of Light was received in Chile, Villagra decided to have it translated into French. In 1992, he translated it as "Le Seigneur des Lumières." He won the Néo-Québécois Authors Contest in Montreal for the second time. This prize included readings of the play by actors. Also in 1992, Villagra auditioned for a film called The Sarrasine. It was a bilingual Italian-French role. The director in Rome was so impressed with his Italian accent that he kept Villagra's original voice in the film.
Recent Work and Projects
In 1997, Villagra and his wife, Begoña, moved back to Chile. They stayed for six years in Santiago because of various acting jobs. Villagra worked in Chilean television and films. He continued to receive praise from audiences and critics. In 1998, he was invited to act in a play called Playing with Fire. It was directed by a Swedish director. After a successful run in Chile, the play went to a festival in Stockholm.
Also in 1998, Villagra wrote a play called The Farce of the Knight and Death. This play toured his home region, Ñuble Province. He also acted in three TV movies and three films. One notable film was Tendida mirando las estrellas. In theatre, Villagra, along with José Ignacio García and his wife Begoña Zabala, had great success with the play The English Lover.
In late 2003, Villagra and his wife returned to Montreal. But a few months later, in early 2004, he went back to Chile. He joined the cast of a new TV series with Canal 13. When he returned to Montreal in late 2004, he said he would only take on projects that were "artistically worthwhile." Since then, he has turned down many offers. He only accepted one film project, El regalo, which was filmed in Chillán in 2008.
Nelson Villagra now lives in Montreal. Throughout his career, he has acted in over 60 plays, 40 films, and many TV series. With his wife and other actors, he has started an art group. They have already made one short film called Transfer. The group is currently working on several new film projects.
Selected Films
- Three Sad Tigers (1968)
- Jackal of Nahueltoro (1969)
- The Penal Colony (1970)
- Nadie dijo nada (1971)
- The Promised Land (1973)
- The Last Supper (1976)
- Cantata de Chile (1976)
- Río Negro (1977)
- The Recourse to the Method (1978)
- La rosa de los vientos (1978)
- The Widow of Montiel (1979)
- Cecilia (1982)
- Amnesia (1994)
- Tierra del Fuego (2000)
- El regalo (2008)
See also
In Spanish: Nelson Villagra para niños
