Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sebastián Lelio has died at the age of 52. He was found dead in his home in Chile by his partner, actress Amalia Kassai, who called police after discovering him at their residence in Santiago. Lelio passed away on Friday, November 6 due to health reasons.
Family tribute and privacy request
Amalia Kassai shared a tribute on Instagram, saying: "We are going through a very painful time, and his memory will remain with us forever. He was a wonderful person who contributed to Chilean culture during important moments in its history."
A statement signed by the Lelio Kassai and Campos Watt families added: "As a family, we ask for respect for our privacy and consideration during these difficult times."
Career highlights and acclaimed films
Lelio launched his career in 2005 with La Sagrada Familia after directing several short films and music videos. He was born in Argentina, before his family moved to Chile when he was two years old.
He was well known for several works, including The Year of the Tiger, set in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2010 Chile earthquake, which follows an escaped prisoner travelling through the worst-affected regions of the country.
His 2017 film Disobedience starred Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams, following a woman who reunites with a childhood friend at an Orthodox community. His film A Fantastic Woman starred Daniela Vega as a trans woman implicated in the accidental death of her older boyfriend. The film won an Oscar for best foreign language film in 2018 and also won the Independent Spirit Award for best international film.
Later work and legacy
Lelio received critical acclaim for directing his 2022 English-language feature The Wonder, starring Florence Pugh, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Emma Donoghue's novel of the same name.
Lelio previously told The Guardian: "I love working with actors, and need to know they trust me and can explore, get lost, be foolish or brave, and I’ll take care of them. I love working on set – it is where the sparkle is." The families have asked for privacy as they grieve.
