Renowned Mexican-born documentary filmmaker Lourdes Portillo has passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of powerful storytelling that shed light on Latin American social issues.
Portillo, who died at her home in San Francisco, was known for her captivating narratives that delved into complex subjects with a spellbinding touch. One of her most acclaimed works, the 1994 documentary “The Devil Never Sleeps,” explored the mysterious death of her wealthy uncle and was later selected for preservation at the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Her groundbreaking film “The Mothers of The Plaza of Mayo,” which earned Oscar and Emmy nominations in 1985, followed a group of mothers in Argentina seeking answers about their missing sons during a repressive regime.
Portillo’s unique style, which seamlessly blended docufiction, experimental video, and telenovela melodrama, earned her numerous awards and nominations over her four-decade career. She was praised for pushing boundaries and creating authentic, thought-provoking cinema.
Before her passing, Portillo was working on a new film titled “Looking At Ourselves,” which had received a grant from the Sundance Institute. Her last work, “State of Grace,” released in 2020, was a personal animated short film reflecting on her own struggles after a diagnosis of illness.
Portillo is survived by her three sons, four siblings, and five grandchildren. Her impact on the world of filmmaking and her ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences will be remembered for years to come.
