Sebastián Lelio, Chilean Director of Oscar-Winning ‘A Fantastic Woman,’ Dies at 52 — SkimNews
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- Sebastián Lelio died at 52 at his home in Santiago, with his partner Amalia Kassai citing 'health reasons' for the death.
- Amalia Kassai posted on Instagram and contacted police after Lelio was found at his home in the Las Condes district of Santiago.
- A Fantastic Woman, starring Daniela Vega, won the 2018 Oscar for best foreign language film and the Independent Spirit Award for best international film.
- Lelio directed 'Gloria Bell,' an English-language remake of his earlier film 'Gloria,' starring Julianne Moore and John Turturro.
- Lelio was working on 'Chilean Poet,' a film adaptation of Alejandro Zambra’s novel, at the time of his death.
- Lelio directed 'The Wave,' a musical inspired by feminist mobilizations in Chile, one of his most recent projects.
Why it matters: Lelio’s death at 52 cuts short a defining voice in Chilean cinema who brought global attention to LGBTQ+ and feminist narratives through award-winning films. His unfinished adaptation of 'Chilean Poet' leaves a cultural project in limbo, affecting collaborators and Chile’s film community.
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