Sebastián Lelio, the acclaimed Chilean director known for the Oscar-winning film “A Fantastic Woman,” has died at the age of 52. His partner announced his death on Friday, citing “health complications.”
Lelio was in the midst of production for an adaptation of Alejandro Zambra’s novel “Chilean Poet” and was also working on the film “Voyagers,” which was set to star Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
His partner shared a statement expressing profound grief and remembering Lelio as a “wonderful person who made significant contributions to Chilean culture at important moments in its history.” The statement also requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Lelio gained international recognition with “A Fantastic Woman,” which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018. The film explored themes of gender identity and grief through the story of a transgender woman facing societal prejudice after her partner’s death.
His other notable works include “Gloria,” which was remade in English as “Gloria Bell” starring Julianne Moore, and “The Wonder.” Lelio’s directorial style was often praised for its sensitivity, nuanced character portrayals, and exploration of complex social issues.
