Sebastián Cordero
Encyclopedia
Sebastián Cordero is a film director
, writer
and editor
, often recognized for his work in Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
, his debut film which portrays the life in a poverty-stricken Ecuador
. His films have been exhibited in festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival
and Cannes Film Festival
among others.
He first became interested in filmmaking
when he saw Raiders of the Lost Ark
at the age of 9. At the age of 18 he began his studies in film and script making in the University of Southern California
. After his graduation he moved back to Ecuador with the idea of filmmaking in a country where there is practically no movie industry.
His first movie, Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
(1999), led to his first appearance at Venice Film Festival
, appearing later in film festivals such as Toronto
, San Sebastián and Buenos Aires
, and been recognized with awards and honors at Huelva and La Habana film festivals.
His second film, Crónicas
, was recognized with the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, and first appeared at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard
section in 2004
, and was nominated to the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival
. He was attached to direct the motion picture Manhunt that tells the story of what occurred in the lapse of the 48 hours that followed the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
and was to star Harrison Ford
. The project was later cancelled.
His third film, Rabia is based on a novel from the writer Sergio Bizzio. Now his fourth movie, Pescador is in post-production.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and editor
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
, often recognized for his work in Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros is a 1999 Ecuadorian film directed by Sebastián Cordero and starring Carlos Valencia and Marco Bustos. It wasn't widely released until 2001 or 2002...
, his debut film which portrays the life in a poverty-stricken Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. His films have been exhibited in festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
among others.
He first became interested in filmmaking
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
when he saw Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise...
at the age of 9. At the age of 18 he began his studies in film and script making in the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. After his graduation he moved back to Ecuador with the idea of filmmaking in a country where there is practically no movie industry.
His first movie, Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros is a 1999 Ecuadorian film directed by Sebastián Cordero and starring Carlos Valencia and Marco Bustos. It wasn't widely released until 2001 or 2002...
(1999), led to his first appearance at Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, appearing later in film festivals such as Toronto
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
, San Sebastián and Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
The Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente is an international festival of independent films organized each year in the month of April, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.The festival is managed by the Ministerio de Cultura del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, it is not...
, and been recognized with awards and honors at Huelva and La Habana film festivals.
His second film, Crónicas
Cronicas (film)
Crónicas is a 2004 Ecuadorian thriller film, written and directed by Sebastián Cordero. The film was produced by Guillermo Del Toro, director of Pan's Labyrinth, and Alfonso Cuarón, director of Y Tu Mama Tambien...
, was recognized with the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, and first appeared at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's Official Selection. It is run at the Salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or.This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob...
section in 2004
2004 Cannes Film Festival
The 2004 Cannes Film Festival started on May 12 and ran until May 23. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore.-Jury:* Quentin Tarantino, President * Emmanuelle Béart * Edwidge Danticat * Tilda Swinton...
, and was nominated to the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. He was attached to direct the motion picture Manhunt that tells the story of what occurred in the lapse of the 48 hours that followed the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
and was to star Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
. The project was later cancelled.
His third film, Rabia is based on a novel from the writer Sergio Bizzio. Now his fourth movie, Pescador is in post-production.
Films
- Ratas, Ratones, RaterosRatas, Ratones, RaterosRatas, Ratones, Rateros is a 1999 Ecuadorian film directed by Sebastián Cordero and starring Carlos Valencia and Marco Bustos. It wasn't widely released until 2001 or 2002...
(starring Carlos Valencia, first shown at the 1999 Venice Film Festival) - CrónicasCronicas (film)Crónicas is a 2004 Ecuadorian thriller film, written and directed by Sebastián Cordero. The film was produced by Guillermo Del Toro, director of Pan's Labyrinth, and Alfonso Cuarón, director of Y Tu Mama Tambien...
(starring John LeguizamoJohn LeguizamoJonathan Alberto "John" Leguizamo is an Colombian-American actor, producer, voice artist, and comedian.-Early life:...
, first shown at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival) - Rabia (starring Martina Garcia, first shown at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival)