María Novaro is a Mexican film director, best known for her award-winning films, "The Tiniest Place" and "Rosa". Novaro was born in Mexico City in 1962 and grew up in a family of filmmakers. Her father, Alfonso Novaro, was an editor and director, her mother, Lourdes de la Rosa, was a script supervisor, and her uncle, Gabriel Retes, was a director. Novaro began her career in film by attending the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she graduated with a degree in communications in 1985.
Novaro's first feature film, "The Tiniest Place," was released in 1995 and won the prestigious Ariel Award for Best First Work. The film follows the story of a small village in Chiapas, Mexico, where a group of people are struggling to survive in the midst of a civil war. Novaro's film was praised for its focus on the people of the town and its unique atmosphere.
Novaro's second feature film, "Rosa," was released in 1996 and won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The movie follows the story of a young girl, Rosa, who is separated from her family during the Mexican Revolution and must find her way back home. The movie was praised for its focus on the plight of women during the war and its sensitive portrayal of the human cost of conflict.
Novaro has continued to make films throughout her career, including "The Desert Within" (2008) and "The Good Herbs" (2009). Her most recent film, "The Good Herbs," tells the story of a Mexican herbalist who struggles to keep her family together in a rural village. The movie was praised for its focus on the importance of nature and family.
Novaro has also directed several short films, including "The Garden of Delights" (1997) and "A Place of Dreams" (1999). Her films have screened at festivals around the world and have won numerous awards, including the Audience Award at the Morelia International Film Festival for "The Tiniest Place" and the Grand Prize at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for "Rosa".
María Novaro is a talented filmmaker who has created a body of work that captures the beauty and struggles of her native Mexico. Her films explore topics such as the human cost of conflict, the importance of nature, and the power of family. Her work has been praised by critics and audiences alike and has
