José Ramón Da Cruz is a Venezuelan director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for his long list of award-winning films and TV series, including the critically acclaimed drama series La Sombra de la Ley, which won the International Emmy for Best Drama Series in 2018.
Da Cruz was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1964. He studied film at the Centro de Estudios Cinematográficos in Caracas, and went on to make his directorial debut in 1992 with the feature film Contracorriente, which won the Grand Prize at the Cine Criollo International Film Festival in Caracas.
Da Cruz has since gone on to become one of the most prolific directors in Venezuela, with over 30 feature films and TV series to his name. He is best known for his drama series La Sombra de la Ley, which tells the story of a group of police officers in Caracas and the struggles they face in the face of crime and violence. La Sombra de la Ley has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of the struggles of everyday Venezuelans and has won numerous awards, including the International Emmy for Best Drama Series in 2018.
Da Cruz has also made a number of feature films, including the highly acclaimed El Futuro, which won the Grand Prize at the International Film Festival of Mar del Plata in Argentina. Other notable films include La Verdad Duele, which won the Best Film award at the 2002 International Film Festival of Havana, and El Tren de los Regresos, which won the Best Film award at the 2005 International Film Festival of San Sebastian.
In addition to his work as a director, Da Cruz has also served as a producer on many of his own films and TV series, and was a jury member at the 2007 International Film Festival of San Sebastian.
Da Cruz is considered one of the leading lights of Venezuelan cinema, and his work has been praised for its ability to capture the everyday struggles of the Venezuelan people. His films and TV series have won numerous awards, and he remains one of the most respected directors in Latin America.
