
Directing
Helena Solberg
Born
1938-06-17 (88)
Place of birth
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Known for
Directing
Credits
35 titles
Helena Solberg (born June 17, 1938, in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian-born documentarist who, since 1971, has made her career in the United States. She is recognized as the only woman to participate in "Cinema Novo" movement in Brazil. In 1983, Solberg received an Emmy Award for From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today, documentary on a new society that born of political turmoil in Central America and the role that the U.S. plays in determining its future. Helena Solberg was born in Rio de Janeiro, daughter of a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, lived for a long time in New York City, and established herself as a producer and director of documentaries in Brazil and the United States. She began…
Known for
7.4A biography of the Portuguese-born Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda, whose most distinctive feature was her tutti-frutti hat. From her arrival in the US as the "Brazilian Bombshell" to her Broadway career and Hollywood stardom in the 1940s.
Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business
1995
7.1A journey in the history of the Brazilian songbook with a look at the relationship between poetry and music, sewing testimonials of great names of our culture, musical performances and amazing research of images.
Palavra (En)Cantada
2009
NRPassionate about the magic of cinema and historically imposed on a place of invisibility, prejudices and stereotypes, how can women challenge, break with oppression, look after precious archives, play remarkable characters, produce and direct successful films? The documentary illuminates the trajectories of dreams, challenges and victories of talented Brazilian women in our audiovisual sector.
Women's Cinema
2020
6.8The day-to-day life of a young girl in the town of Diamantina, Brazil, on the end of 19th Century, based on real life diaries.
Diary of a Provincial Girl
2003
NRIn 2018, Brazil’s 1988 Constitution turned thirty. Known as the Citizen Constitution, it was a landmark in the history of Brazil, the outcome of across-the-board engagement of society in its preparation. In Congress, the parliamentarians best known for their involvement in this initiative were names that are still familiar today in Brazil’s political history: Ulysses Guimarães, Teotônio Vilela, Tancredo Neves and Nelson Carneiro.
Nelson Carneiro: Knight of Democracy
2023
7.5Sixty-six adolescents, residents of Favela da Maré, were selected to participate in a dance show led by the choreographer Ivaldo Bertazzo, which incorporated their own daily experiences. Ten years later, directors David Meyer and Helena Soldberg search for some of the participants of this experience.
Our Stories, Ourselves
2013
Film credits
2020s · 3 titles
NRPassionate about the magic of cinema and historically imposed on a place of invisibility, prejudices and stereotypes, how can women challenge, break with oppression, look after precious archives, play remarkable characters, produce and direct successful films? The documentary illuminates the trajectories of dreams, challenges and victories of talented Brazilian women in our audiovisual sector.
Women's Cinema
2020
NRIn 2018, Brazil’s 1988 Constitution turned thirty. Known as the Citizen Constitution, it was a landmark in the history of Brazil, the outcome of across-the-board engagement of society in its preparation. In Congress, the parliamentarians best known for their involvement in this initiative were names that are still familiar today in Brazil’s political history: Ulysses Guimarães, Teotônio Vilela, Tancredo Neves and Nelson Carneiro.
Nelson Carneiro: Knight of Democracy
2023
NR‘How are women doing in Brazil?’. It is this intriguing question, posed by an Italian journalist, that Helena Solberg tries to answer through elements of her films, from the 1960s to the present day. Along the way, encounters with figures such as Heloisa Teixeira, Rita von Hunty and Helena Vieira illuminate some of the cracks in this broad debate.
Um Filme para Beatrice
2024
1980s · 2 titles
NRIn this documentary portrait of post-revolutionary Nicaragua, director Helena Solberg follows the Chavarría family while examining the broader social and political changes following the 1979 overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship. Interweaving personal testimony with archival footage of U.S. intervention, revolutionary struggle, and national reform efforts, the film reflects on the hopes and tensions shaping the country’s future.
From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today
1982
NRBased on interviews with 15 women, including directors, producers and film actresses, a journey around the world is made, seeing the wars waged by each one against economic and political repression, bombs, police dogs, censors, etc. Images from England, New York, Brazil, South Africa.
As Kineastas
1986
Behind the camera
7.4A biography of the Portuguese-born Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda, whose most distinctive feature was her tutti-frutti hat. From her arrival in the US as the "Brazilian Bombshell" to her Broadway career and Hollywood stardom in the 1940s.
Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business
1995
7.4A biography of the Portuguese-born Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda, whose most distinctive feature was her tutti-frutti hat. From her arrival in the US as the "Brazilian Bombshell" to her Broadway career and Hollywood stardom in the 1940s.
Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business
1995
7.1A journey in the history of the Brazilian songbook with a look at the relationship between poetry and music, sewing testimonials of great names of our culture, musical performances and amazing research of images.
Palavra (En)Cantada
2009
7.1A journey in the history of the Brazilian songbook with a look at the relationship between poetry and music, sewing testimonials of great names of our culture, musical performances and amazing research of images.
Palavra (En)Cantada
2009
6.8The day-to-day life of a young girl in the town of Diamantina, Brazil, on the end of 19th Century, based on real life diaries.
Diary of a Provincial Girl
2003
6.8The day-to-day life of a young girl in the town of Diamantina, Brazil, on the end of 19th Century, based on real life diaries.
Diary of a Provincial Girl
2003
7.5Sixty-six adolescents, residents of Favela da Maré, were selected to participate in a dance show led by the choreographer Ivaldo Bertazzo, which incorporated their own daily experiences. Ten years later, directors David Meyer and Helena Soldberg search for some of the participants of this experience.
Our Stories, Ourselves
2013
7.5Sixty-six adolescents, residents of Favela da Maré, were selected to participate in a dance show led by the choreographer Ivaldo Bertazzo, which incorporated their own daily experiences. Ten years later, directors David Meyer and Helena Soldberg search for some of the participants of this experience.
Our Stories, Ourselves
2013
NRTalking about abortion in Brazil is still taboo, however, in recent years, protesters have protested against criminalization laws and highlighted the need to debate the subject.
Meu Corpo, Minha Vida
2017
NRTalking about abortion in Brazil is still taboo, however, in recent years, protesters have protested against criminalization laws and highlighted the need to debate the subject.
Meu Corpo, Minha Vida
2017
NR‘How are women doing in Brazil?’. It is this intriguing question, posed by an Italian journalist, that Helena Solberg tries to answer through elements of her films, from the 1960s to the present day. Along the way, encounters with figures such as Heloisa Teixeira, Rita von Hunty and Helena Vieira illuminate some of the cracks in this broad debate.
Um Filme para Beatrice
2024
NR‘How are women doing in Brazil?’. It is this intriguing question, posed by an Italian journalist, that Helena Solberg tries to answer through elements of her films, from the 1960s to the present day. Along the way, encounters with figures such as Heloisa Teixeira, Rita von Hunty and Helena Vieira illuminate some of the cracks in this broad debate.
Um Filme para Beatrice
2024
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Chile: By Reason or By Force
1983
NRIn this documentary portrait of post-revolutionary Nicaragua, director Helena Solberg follows the Chavarría family while examining the broader social and political changes following the 1979 overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship. Interweaving personal testimony with archival footage of U.S. intervention, revolutionary struggle, and national reform efforts, the film reflects on the hopes and tensions shaping the country’s future.
From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today
1982
6.3On screen, a bride gets ready for her wedding day. Off screen, middle-class young women from Rio de Janeiro share their experiences and impressions concerning virginity, marriage, sex and politics.
The Interview
1966
NRIn 1969, Fernando Gabeira was among terrorists who kidnapped Charles Burke Elbrick, then the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. Eventually Gabeira was captured and tortured before being exiled from his homeland for eight years. He talks candidly about his experiences in captivity as well as the abduction and the motivation behind choosing Elbrick.
Portrait of a Terrorist
1985
No synopsis available yet.
Brazil in Living Colour
1997
NRIn this film Indians—and only Indians—talk about the contemporary threats they are facing today. They are no longer the Conquerors or the American Cavalry. Now it is industrial development that is wiping out traditional land. Shot on three continents: the USA with the Hopi and Navajo; Amazonia, and on the Bolivian highlands, and in Geneva where Indians of the Americas come together to create an international indigenous network.
Home of the Brave
1985
NRDirected by Helena Solberg, this documentary centers on three teenage girls living in a Bolivian reformatory after experiences of sexual violence and exploitation. Through their stories, the film contrasts their circumstances with prevailing social expectations and representations of women.
Simplemente Jenny
1977
NRDirected by Helena Solberg, this documentary centers on three teenage girls living in a Bolivian reformatory after experiences of sexual violence and exploitation. Through their stories, the film contrasts their circumstances with prevailing social expectations and representations of women.
Simplemente Jenny
1977
NRUsing archival photographs, historical footage, and illustrations, this documentary traces the evolution of the feminist movement in the United States from the eighteenth century to the rise of modern women’s liberation.
The Emerging Woman
1974
NRUsing archival photographs, historical footage, and illustrations, this documentary traces the evolution of the feminist movement in the United States from the eighteenth century to the rise of modern women’s liberation.
The Emerging Woman
1974
5.0A group of school students sets up a rebellion that threatens to kill their teacher.
Noon
1969
5.0A group of school students sets up a rebellion that threatens to kill their teacher.
Noon
1969
5.0A group of school students sets up a rebellion that threatens to kill their teacher.
Noon
1969
8.0Considers the condition of women in continental America. Shows how women in countries such as Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela are objecting to their traditional roles as wives and mothers and are striving for more control over their lives.
The Double Day
1975
8.0Considers the condition of women in continental America. Shows how women in countries such as Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela are objecting to their traditional roles as wives and mothers and are striving for more control over their lives.
The Double Day
1975
No synopsis available yet.
The Forbidden Land
1990
No synopsis available yet.
The Brazilian Connection
1983
