Patricia Cardoso facts for kids

Patricia Cardoso is a Colombian-American filmmaker known for directing the famous 2002 movie Real Women Have Curves. The film tells the story of a young Mexican-American woman as she deals with challenges involving her family, her culture, and her own self-image.

Her work on the film earned her many "firsts." She was the first Latina director to win a Sundance Audience Award for Real Women Have Curves. She was also the first Latina to win a Student Academy Award for her short film, The Water Carrier.

In 2019, the Library of Congress chose Real Women Have Curves to be added to the National Film Registry. This means the movie is considered a "cinematic treasure" that is an important part of America's history. Cardoso is the first Latina director to have a film in the registry.

Besides movies, Cardoso has directed episodes for popular TV shows. The famous director Ava DuVernay personally chose her to direct an episode of Queen Sugar. She has also directed for shows like Will Trent, The Society, and Diary of a Future President.

Early Life and Education

Patricia Cardoso was born and grew up in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. As a child, she loved to write and draw her own picture books. She didn't realize it at the time, but she was creating storyboards, which are used by directors to plan their movies.

Before becoming a filmmaker, she studied anthropology, which is the study of people and cultures, at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. Later, she attended the famous film school at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her background in anthropology helps her create characters that feel real and believable.

Career as a Director

At UCLA, Cardoso was a top student and won all the major directing awards at the school. Her talent was clear from the beginning.

The Story of 'Real Women Have Curves'

Cardoso's most famous film is Real Women Have Curves. The movie was a big moment for independent films. It starred America Ferrera in her first movie role.

Getting the movie made was not easy. Cardoso, along with the writers, struggled to find anyone to pay for the film. Many movie executives thought no one would want to watch it. But once the script was accepted, Cardoso was hired to direct. She personally interviewed and hired the cast and crew to bring her vision to life.

The movie was a huge success and is praised for showing a positive and realistic view of its characters and their lives in Los Angeles. In 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures gave the film a special place in its main gallery, calling it the "hero of the gallery."

Working in Television

After the success of Real Women Have Curves, Cardoso began directing for television. She has worked on many popular shows, including:

• Queen Sugar
• All Rise
• Tales of the City
• Party of Five
• Emergence

She also directed the first episode of Shelter, a show for Amazon Prime based on a book by Harlan Coben.

Selected Filmography

Here are some of the movies and shows Patricia Cardoso has directed.

• Real Women Have Curves (2002) - A high school student named Ana dreams of going to college, but her mother wants her to stay home and start a family. The film follows Ana as she learns to be confident and make her own choices.

• Lies in Plain Sight (2010) - A young woman named Sofia returns home after her cousin Eva suddenly passes away. As Sofia tries to understand what happened, she uncovers difficult family secrets.

• Meddling Mom (2013) - A fun movie about a mother named Carmen who can't stop getting involved in her adult daughters' lives. The film was the first Latino movie ever made by the Hallmark Channel.

• La Clave - A short film about a family dealing with their daughter's mental illness. The film won several awards for its powerful story.

Major Awards and Recognition

Patricia Cardoso has won many awards for her work. Here are some of the most important ones.

• Sundance Film Festival Audience Award (2002) for Real Women Have Curves.
• Student Academy Award Gold Medal (1996) for her student film The Water Carrier.
• Humanitas Prize (2002) for Real Women Have Curves, an award for films that explore the human experience.
• National Board of Review Award (2002) for Excellence in Filmmaking for Real Women Have Curves.
• Directors Guild of America Student Film Award (1996) for The Water Carrier.

In 2017, she was invited to join the Directors Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the group that gives out the Oscars.

See also

In Spanish: Patricia Cardoso para niños