Alfonso Cuarón

Born:November 28, 1961

Place of Birth:Mexico City, Mexico

Known For:Directing

Biography

Alfonso Cuarón Orozco, a visionary Mexican filmmaker, has solidified his place in the cinematic world with an impressive array of accomplishments. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including four Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Cuarón's creative genius shines through in each of his projects, showcasing his versatility and storytelling prowess.

In 1991, Cuarón marked his feature film debut with the charming romantic comedy "Sólo con tu pareja," setting the stage for a career filled with captivating storytelling and visually stunning narratives. He further showcased his directorial talent with film adaptations like "A Little Princess" (1995) and "Great Expectations" (1998), proving his ability to bring beloved stories to life on the big screen with a unique flair.

However, it was the coming-of-age masterpiece "Y tu mamá también" (2001) that truly propelled Cuarón into the spotlight, earning him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. This film not only showcased his storytelling depth but also highlighted his ability to craft authentic and emotionally resonant narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Cuarón's directorial prowess continued to captivate audiences with projects like "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004), where he brought his distinctive style to the beloved wizarding world. He further solidified his reputation with the dystopian drama "Children of Men" (2006) and the groundbreaking science fiction drama "Gravity" (2013), both of which showcased his ability to push the boundaries of storytelling and visual effects.

It was with the semi-autobiographical drama "Roma" (2018) that Cuarón reached new heights, earning him Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Film Editing for "Gravity," and Best Cinematography for "Roma." This film not only demonstrated his technical mastery but also highlighted his profound storytelling abilities, drawing audiences into a deeply personal and poignant narrative.

Alfonso Cuarón's contributions to the world of cinema extend far beyond his accolades, as he continues to inspire and influence aspiring filmmakers worldwide. His ability to seamlessly blend visual artistry with compelling storytelling has cemented his legacy as a true master of the craft. With each project, Cuarón pushes the boundaries of filmmaking, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and captivating audiences with his unparalleled creativity.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

Self

2022

An enchanting making-of story told through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.

Quantum of Solace

Additional Voices (voice)

2008

Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M interrogate Mr. White, who reveals that the organization that blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Production

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Director

2004

Year three at Hogwarts means new fun and challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger: soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school, an ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls, and fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban. And Harry will confront them all.

Pan's Labyrinth

Producer

2006

Living with her tyrannical stepfather in a new home with her pregnant mother, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores a decaying labyrinth guarded by a mysterious faun who claims to know her destiny. If she wishes to return to her real father, Ofelia must complete three terrifying tasks.

Gravity

Editor

2013

Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first Shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The Shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone-tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness of space. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Children of Men

Editor

2006

In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.

Revelations

Executive Producer

2025

A pastor who believes in divine revelation and a detective haunted by visions pursue a missing person case — exposing their own demons in the process.

Roald Dahl's The Witches

Producer

2020

In late 1967, a young orphaned boy goes to live with his loving grandma in the rural Alabama town of Demopolis. As the boy and his grandmother encounter some deceptively glamorous but thoroughly diabolical witches, she wisely whisks him away to a seaside resort. Regrettably, they arrive at precisely the same time that the world's Grand High Witch has gathered.

Y Tu Mamá También

Editor

2001

In Mexico, two teenage boys and an attractive older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.

An Almost Christmas Story

Story

2024

A young owl meets a lost little girl in New York City. Together, they try to get home for Christmas.

Amores Perros

Thanks

2000

A fatalistic car crash in Mexico city sets off a chain of events in the lives of three people: a supermodel, a young man wanting to run off with his sister-in-law, and a homeless man. Their lives are catapulted into unforeseen situations instigated by the seemingly inconsequential destiny of a dog.

Roma

Director of Photography

2018

In 1970s Mexico City, two domestic workers help a mother of four while her husband is away for an extended period of time.

Paris Je T'aime

Writer

2006

Olivier Assayas, Gus Van Sant, Wes Craven and Alfonso Cuaron are among the 20 distinguished directors who contribute to this collection of 18 stories, each exploring a different aspect of Parisian life. The colourful characters in this drama include a pair of mimes, a husband trying to chose between his wife and his lover, and a married man who turns to a prostitute for advice.

A Little Princess

Director

1995

When her father enlists to fight for the British in WWI, young Sara Crewe goes to New York to attend the same boarding school her late mother attended. She soon clashes with the severe headmistress, Miss Minchin, who attempts to stifle Sara's creativity and sense of self-worth.

Great Expectations

Director

1998

Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.

Biutiful

Associate Producer

2010

This is a story of a man in free fall. On the road to redemption, darkness lights his way. Connected with the afterlife, Uxbal is a tragic hero and father of two who's sensing the danger of death. He struggles with a tainted reality and a fate that works against him in order to forgive, for love, and forever.

Cronos

Thanks

1993

Faced with his own mortality, an ingenious alchemist tried to perfect an invention that would provide him with the key to eternal life. It was called the Cronos device. When he died more than 400 years later, he took the secrets of this remarkable device to the grave with him. Now, an elderly antiques dealer has found the hellish machine hidden in a statue and learns about its incredible powers. The more he uses the device, the younger he becomes...but nothing comes without a price. Life after death is just the beginning as this nerve-shattering thriller unfolds and the fountain of youth turns bloody.

Desierto

Producer

2015

A group of Mexican emigrants attempts to cross the Mexican-US border. What begins as a hopeful journey becomes a harrowing, bloody and primal fight for survival when a deranged, rifle-toting vigilante and his loyal Belgian Malinois dog chase the group of unarmed men and women through the treacherous borderland. In the harsh, unforgiving desert terrain, the odds are stacked firmly against them as they discover there’s nowhere to hide from the unrelenting, merciless killer.