Flavio Alves
Encyclopedia
Flavio Alves is a Brazilian writer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his book Toque de Silêncio ("Call to Silence", 1997), an autobiographical account of his life as a gay
man in the Brazilian navy.
, Brazil
and served the Brazilian navy for several years before coming to America in 1997. He was granted political asylum in the United States
in 1998 based on political opinion and sexual orientation
. His request was granted because, according to Alves, he received death threats upon publishing his book. Although various human rights organizations, LGBT activists, and former São Paulo
mayor Marta Suplicy
supported his claim, it has also divided the Brazilian gay community. He attended Columbia University
in New York City, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science
. He also worked as an assistant for Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and then-New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
(D-NY).
to study film production. While there he wrote and directed, Even in My Dreams
, which received the Technisphere Award from NYU for best student film, and was screened at a variety of film festivals around the world. The film was also the winner of the Golden Palm Award at the 2009 Mexico International Film Festival, and the Golden Ace Award at the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival. In June 2010, Flavio released his new short film, The Secret Friend
, starring Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles. The film had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
, where it was chosen as Best of the Fest.
, New York
with his same-sex partner Randall Martusis. In April 2010, Alves became a US citizen.
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
man in the Brazilian navy.
Early years
Alves was born in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and served the Brazilian navy for several years before coming to America in 1997. He was granted political asylum in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1998 based on political opinion and sexual orientation
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
. His request was granted because, according to Alves, he received death threats upon publishing his book. Although various human rights organizations, LGBT activists, and former São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
mayor Marta Suplicy
Marta Suplicy
Marta Teresa Smith de Vasconcelos Suplicy is a Brazilian politician and psychologist. She was Mayor of São Paulo from 2001 to 2004 as a member of the Brazilian Workers' Party...
supported his claim, it has also divided the Brazilian gay community. He attended Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York City, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. He also worked as an assistant for Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and then-New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
(D-NY).
Career
In 2007, Alves left politics and enrolled at New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
to study film production. While there he wrote and directed, Even in My Dreams
Even in My Dreams
Even in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
, which received the Technisphere Award from NYU for best student film, and was screened at a variety of film festivals around the world. The film was also the winner of the Golden Palm Award at the 2009 Mexico International Film Festival, and the Golden Ace Award at the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival. In June 2010, Flavio released his new short film, The Secret Friend
The Secret Friend
The Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
, starring Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles. The film had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...
, where it was chosen as Best of the Fest.
Personal life
Flavio lives in Forest HillsForest Hills
- Cities or census-designated places :United States* Forest Hills, Kentucky* Forest Hills, Michigan* Forest Hills, North Carolina* Forest Hills, Pennsylvania* Forest Hills, TennesseeSouth Africa* Forest Hills, Kloof, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with his same-sex partner Randall Martusis. In April 2010, Alves became a US citizen.
Producer
- 2010: Art Machine
- 2010: Case Closed
- 2010: The Position
- 2010: The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
, the film adaptation of the short story, O Amigo Secreto (The Secret Friend), by João Silvério TrevisanJoão Silvério TrevisanJoão Silvério Trevisan is Brazilian author, playwright, journalist, screenwriter and film director. In his much-diversified oeuvres, he has published eleven books, among them great works of fiction, essays, short stories, and screenplays... - 2010: The Masterpiece
- 2010: The Empty Playground
- 2009: Os Restos do Dia
- 2009: Human Being
- 2009: We All Fall Down: The American Mortgage Crisis
- 2009: Os Teus Últimos Dias Como Criança
- 2008: Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
- 2008: Tom and Jeraldine
- 2008: Pasta
- 2007: SuperPower
- 2007: Good Dreams
- 2007: Cap XV:12
- 2006: The Kid
Director
- 2010: The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
- 2008: Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
- 2007: SuperPowerSuperPowerSuperPower is a political simulation computer game designed by GolemLabs and published by DreamCatcher Interactive. SuperPower debuted on March 28, 2002 for the PC.-Gameplay:...
Awards
- 2011 Jury Award - Downbeach Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Atlanta Underground Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Jornada Internacional de Cinema da Bahial (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Audience Award - World Music and Independent Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Audience Award - Hyart Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Hardacre Film FestivalHardacre film festivalThe Hardacre Film Festival is Iowa's longest-running film festival. Based in Tipton, Iowa, the festival is held annually in the city's historic Hardacre Theater...
(The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Audience Award - Indianapolis International Film FestivalIndianapolis International Film Festival-Mission & General Information:Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival seeks to create a shared experience by championing films that entertain, challenge and expand perspectives in Indianapolis and beyond...
(The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Las Vegas International Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Grand Jury Prize - Amsterdam Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Cleveland International Film FestivalCleveland International Film FestivalThe Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
(The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Special Jury Award - Canada International Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2011 Jury Award - Griffon International Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2010 Cine Golden Eagle Award for Best Short Film - CINECINECINE is a consortium formulated to depict American life and thought realistically for a global audience. CINE recognizes and fosters the highest quality of non-theatrical film and video production through its semi-annual film competitions....
(The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2010 Jury Award for Best Fiction Short - Rockport Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2010 Special Jury Award - Savannah Film Festival (The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2010 Best of the Fest - Palm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film FestivalPalm Springs International Film Festival is a film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1989 and is held annually in January...
(The Secret FriendThe Secret FriendThe Secret Friend is a 2010 comedy-drama film based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Brazilian writer João Silvério Trevisan. The film, directed by Flavio Alves, features Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles...
) - 2009 Golden Palm Award - Mexico International Film Festival (Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
) - 2009 Golden Ace Award - Las Vegas Film Festival (Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
) - 2008 Audience Award - Festival Internacional de Cinema de Itu (Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
) - 2008 Technisphere Award for Best Student Film - New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(Even in My DreamsEven in My DreamsEven in My Dreams is a 2008 short film written and directed by Flavio Alves, starring Richard Reade as the main character, Michael. Considering its shoestring budget, Even in My Dreams was a huge success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals all over the world.Even My Dreams was filmed...
)
External links
- The Secret Friend official web site
- Even in My Dreams official web site
- Queens Picture official web site