Humberto Mauro: Biography of a Pioneer in Brazilian Cinema
Discover Humberto Mauro’s inspiring journey as a pioneer of Brazilian cinema and his lasting impact on the film industry in Brazil and beyond.
Humberto Duarte Mauro was born on April 30, 1897, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and became one of the true pioneers of Brazilian cinema. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in the arts, playing multiple musical instruments. Mauro studied engineering and worked as an electrician for four years before fully dedicating himself to filmmaking.
His passion for cinema grew after meeting Pedro Cornello, an Italian photographer. Together, they began producing short films using a home camera, including the short Valadião, o Cratera. With financial backing, Mauro was able to start several film projects, though many were never completed.
Alongside Cornello, he co-founded the production company Phebo Sul América Filmes, whose first film was Na Primavera da Vida (1926).
Mauro was a versatile filmmaker — directing, producing, writing, and even acting. He also contributed to set design and lighting. His second film, Tesouro Perdido, won the Best Film award in 1927. This success was followed by Brasa Dormida, distributed by Universal Pictures, which cemented his reputation as one of the leading directors of silent cinema.
With the advent of sound films, Mauro directed several movies at Cinédia, including Lábios sem Beijos and A Voz do Carnaval. His final work was the documentary Carro de Bois (1974), filmed in his hometown.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Humberto Mauro was honored at the Cannes Film Festival in the final year of his life, leaving a lasting legacy in Brazilian and world cinema.
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