Biografia
Carvalho studied Architecture and Literature. At a young age in 1984, he wrote and directed the short film "A Espera," inspired by Roland Barthes' "A Lover's Discourse: Fragments." The film earned best film, actress, and photography awards [Concha de Oro] at the 34th Festival de San Sebastian, Spain, as well as the special jury prize at the Festival de Ste. Therèse, Canada.
His first feature film, "Lavoura Arcaica," adapted from Raduan Nassar's book, received more than fifty international and Brazilian awards.
In 2017, Luiz Fernando Carvalho was honored with the APCA Award for "Dois Irmãos," an Emmy nomination for "Velho Chico," and the Bravo Award (Prêmio Bravo) for Artist of the Year, recognizing his career and aesthetic innovation on television through "Velho Chico" and "Dois Irmãos," alongside the 15th anniversary of the film "Lavoura Arcaica."
To commemorate Clarice Lispector’s centennial in 2020, Carvalho released a film adaptation of "A Paixão Segundo G.H." His upcoming project is an original script titled "Objetos Perdidos."
At TV Globo, Carvalho began as assistant director on the mini-series "O Tempo e O Vento" and "Grande Sertão: Veredas" before directing works like "Riacho Doce," adapted from José Lins do Rego's novel. As general director, he helmed "Os Homens Querem Paz" [Finalist at the 34th New York Festival of Cinema and Video], "Uma Mulher Vestida de Sol," and "A Farsa da Boa Preguiça," the latter two based on Ariano Suassuna's books. He also directed the drama series "Renascer" and "O Rei do Gado." In 2001, he directed the mini-series "Os Maias," adapted from Eça de Queiroz's novel. In 2005, he created and directed the two-part micro-series "Hoje é Dia de Maria," drawing from Brazilian oral traditions [Input International Board - Taipei, 2005; International Emmy Awards 2005 finalist in Mini-series and Best Actress categories for Carolina Oliveira; Hors Concours - Banff, Canada, 2006; Prix Jeunesse International 2006 - Munich, Germany; Grande Prêmio da Crítica APCA 2005; Prêmio Clara de Assis 2006 - CNBB].
Carvalho led a creative unit at Rede Globo, initiating the Quadrante project launched in June 2007 with an adaptation of Ariano Suassuna's novel "A Pedra do Reino." The Quadrante project stemmed from his desire to showcase Brazil’s stories, dreams, and contradictions through literary adaptations, emphasizing Brazilian culture as essential to the nation's identity and growth.
His television work displays notable contrasts: from the 1960s pop aesthetic in "Correio Feminino" (2013) to the classic precision of "Os Maias" (2001); the urban vibes of working-class suburbs in "Suburbia" (2012) to the whimsical tone of "Meu Pedacinho de Chão" (2014); the Sertão’s aesthetic exploration in "Velho Chico" (2016) to the Brazilian fairy tale essence of "Hoje É Dia de Maria" (2005); and the realistic portrayal of family tragedy in "Dois Irmãos" (2017).
