Fernando E. Solanas

Cast · Director · Writer

Born

February 16, 1936 · Olivos, Argentina

Died

November 6, 2020

Birth name

Fernando Ezequiel Solanas

Fernando "Pino" Solanas was an influential Argentine film director, screenwriter, composer, and politician. Solanas studied theater, music, and law before beginning his film career. His first major work, La hora de los hornos, was a landmark documentary on neo-colonialism in Latin America. A pioneer of political cinema, he advocated for films that rejected Hollywood's commercialism and Europe’s auteur tradition in favor of politically conscious storytelling. In 1991, after publicly criticizing then-President Carlos Menem, Solanas survived an assassination attempt. This event intensified his political activism, leading him to run for office. Throughout his career, Solanas remained committed to social and political causes. He advocated for the legalization of abortion and continued directing films with strong political themes, including La Dignidad de los Nadies (2005) and La última estación (2008).