Gilda de Abreu
Writing
- Born
- September 23, 1904 · Paris, France
- Died
- June 4, 1979 (age 74)
Gilda de Abreu (23 September 1904 – 4 June 1979) was a Brazilian actress, singer, writer and film director. Born to a wealthy family, Gilda de Abreu began her career as a singer, performing in stage musicals and operettas. She first started appearing in theater productions in 1936, when she starred in the romantic comedy Bonequinha de Seda, produced by Adhemar Gonzaga. The film acted as a break-out role for Abreu, allowing for a transition from her previous stage-based career to one in the Brazilian film industry.
She was one of the first women to direct films in Brazil, coming to renown for her directorial debut, O Ébrio (The Drunkard) in 1946. The film, in addition to being the first sound film directed by a woman, was a commercial and critical success, with approximately 4 million viewings between 1946 and 1950. It is still regarded as "one of the great successes of Brazilian Cinema", according to film historian João Luiz Vieira.
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After O Ébrio, Abreu directed Pinguinho de gente (Tiny Tot) in 1949 and Coração materno (Mother's Heart) in 1951. Neither achieved the same critical or commercial success as O Ébrio. These were her final films as director until 1977, when she directed the short film Canção de Amor (Love Song).
Known for
Behind the camera6
- 1977Canção de Amor Director, Writer
- 1974Mestiça, a Escrava Indomável Novel
- 1955Chico Viola Não Morreu Writer
- 1951Coração Materno Director, Writer, Novel
- 1949Pinguinho de Gente Director
- 1946The Drunkard Director, Writer
Acting7
- 2020Women's Cinema as Self
- 2008As Mulheres no Cinema Brasileiro as Self
- 1997Celebração - 100 Anos do Cinema Nacional
