Alfonso Arau

Alfonso Arau Incháustegui, born on 11 January 1932, is a renowned Mexican filmmaker and actor. He has been a significant figure in both Mexican and Hollywood productions for over four decades, capturing international attention with his breakthrough in the 1992 film, *Like Water for Chocolate*, based on the novel penned by his then-wife Laura Esquivel. Arau has showcased his exceptional skills in a range of films such as *A Walk in the Clouds* (1995), *Picking Up the Pieces* (2000), *The Magnificent Ambersons* (2002), and *Zapata: El sueño del héroe* (2004). He has bagged five Ariel Award, including Best Director for *Like Water for Chocolate* and has been nominated for the renowned BAFTA award. Arau, the son of a physician, directed films like *Zapata: The Dream of a Hero*, *A Walk in the Clouds*, *A Painted House* and played various unique roles. His notable appearances include roles in movies like *The Wild Bunch*, *Three Amigos*, *Used Cars*, and *Romancing the Stone*. He has also appeared in various American TV series and plays. In 2004, the Santa Fe Film Festival celebrated Arau for his contributions in cinema. In 2010, he directed the Italian-language movie, 'The Trick in the Sheet' and starred in 'The Treasure Hunt:_An Interactive Adventure_' in 2011. He also worked on a range of films in various roles like director, writer, and actor.