Directing

Helena Solberg

Born June 17, 1938 · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (age 88)

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…

Known For

Diary of a Provincial Girl

Diary of a Provincial Girl · 2003

Diary of a Provincial Girl

MovieDramaHistory

The 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.

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business · 1995

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

MovieDocumentary

A 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.

Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave · 1985

Home of the Brave

MovieDocumentary

In 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.

As Kineastas

As Kineastas · 1986

MovieDocumentaryHistory

Based 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.

Palavra (En)Cantada

Palavra (En)Cantada · 2009

Palavra (En)Cantada

MovieDocumentaryMusic

A 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.

Um Filme para Beatrice

Um Filme para Beatrice · 2024

Um Filme para Beatrice

MovieDocumentary

‘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.

The Interview

The Interview · 1966

MovieDocumentary

On 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 Emerging Woman

The Emerging Woman · 1974

The Emerging Woman

MovieDocumentary

Using 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.

Filmography

Sort

Diary of a Provincial Girl

Diary of a Provincial Girl · 2003

Diary of a Provincial Girl

MovieDramaHistory

The 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.

Director

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business · 1995

Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

MovieDocumentary

A 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.

Director

Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave · 1985

Home of the Brave

MovieDocumentary

In 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.

Director

As Kineastas

As Kineastas · 1986

MovieDocumentaryHistory

Based 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.

Palavra (En)Cantada

Palavra (En)Cantada · 2009

Palavra (En)Cantada

MovieDocumentaryMusic

A 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.

Director

Um Filme para Beatrice

Um Filme para Beatrice · 2024

Um Filme para Beatrice

MovieDocumentary

‘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.

Director

The Interview

The Interview · 1966

MovieDocumentary

On 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.

Director

The Emerging Woman

The Emerging Woman · 1974

The Emerging Woman

MovieDocumentary

Using 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.

Producer

From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today

From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today · 1982

From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today

MovieDocumentary

In 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.

Co-Producer

The Double Day

The Double Day · 1975

MovieDocumentary

Considers 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.

Writer

Noon

A group of school students sets up a rebellion that threatens to kill their teacher.

Writer

Portrait of a Terrorist

Portrait of a Terrorist · 1985

Portrait of a Terrorist

MovieDocumentary

In 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.

Director

Our Stories, Ourselves

Our Stories, Ourselves · 2013

Our Stories, Ourselves

MovieDocumentary

Sixty-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.

Director

Chile: By Reason or By Force

Chile: By Reason or By Force · 1983

Chile: By Reason or By Force

MovieDocumentary

Director

Simplemente Jenny

Simplemente Jenny · 1977

Simplemente Jenny

MovieDocumentary

Directed 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.

Writer

Meu Corpo, Minha Vida

Meu Corpo, Minha Vida · 2017

Meu Corpo, Minha Vida

MovieDocumentary

Talking 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.

Writer