Rajan Chauhan with Brazilian Filmmaker Rodrigo de Oliveira at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa
One of the most inspiring moments of my journey as a filmmaker was meeting Brazilian filmmaker Rodrigo de Oliveira during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panjim, Goa. Bringing together filmmakers from across the world, IFFI provided an opportunity to connect with artists whose work reflects diverse cultures, perspectives, and cinematic traditions.
Rodrigo de Oliveira is an acclaimed Brazilian film director, screenwriter, editor, and producer known for his independent cinema. His films, including The First Fallen, All Paulos in the World (Todos os Paulos do Mundo), and The Vulgar Hours (As Horas Vulgares), have been recognized at international film festivals for their distinctive storytelling and artistic vision. His work demonstrates how independent cinema can address human experiences with honesty, creativity, and emotional depth.
Meeting filmmakers like Rodrigo de Oliveira reminds me that cinema is a universal language. Every country has its own culture, filmmaking style, and storytelling tradition, yet every filmmaker shares the same passion for creating meaningful stories. Interacting with international directors expands creative thinking, encourages cross-cultural understanding, and inspires new perspectives on filmmaking.
For me, attending IFFI was never just about watching films—it was about learning directly from filmmakers, exchanging ideas, and understanding how cinema connects people across borders. Experiences like these continue to shape my vision as a film director and strengthen my belief that the best education often comes from meeting storytellers from around the world.
Rodrigo de Oliveira is a Brazilian film director, screenwriter, editor, and producer, recognized as one of the prominent voices in contemporary independent Brazilian cinema. Born on 6 February 1985 in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he studied Audiovisual/Cinema at the Fluminense Federal University before beginning his career as a filmmaker.
Career
Rodrigo made his feature directorial debut with As Horas Vulgares (The Vulgar Hours) in 2011. The same year, he co-wrote the acclaimed documentary Breaking the Taboo (Quebrando o Tabu), which became one of Brazil's most discussed documentaries.
He later directed several award-winning films, including:
As Horas Vulgares (2011)
Teobaldo Morto, Romeu Exilado (2015)
Eclipse Solar (2016) – Short film
Todos os Paulos do Mundo (All Paulos in the World) (2017) – A documentary about legendary Brazilian actor Paulo José, nominated for Brazil's Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro.
The Most Beloved (2019)
The First Fallen (Os Primeiros Soldados) (2021) – A critically acclaimed drama portraying the early years of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil. The film received international festival recognition and won awards across several countries.
Lô Borges – Toda Essa Água (2023) – Documentary feature.
Filmmaking Style
Rodrigo de Oliveira's work is known for:
Independent and auteur-driven filmmaking.
Character-focused storytelling.
Social and historical themes.
Strong visual language and carefully crafted editing.
Humanistic narratives that often explore identity, memory, and marginalized communities.
Recognition
His films have been screened at numerous international film festivals, and his documentary Todos os Paulos do Mundo earned a nomination at Brazil's Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro. In 2021, a retrospective of his work was presented by the Cinematheque of the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro (MAM-Rio), recognizing his contribution to Brazilian independent cinema.
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