The directorial career of Lisandro Alonso began in 2001 with the debut feature Freedom, a low-budget project that established his reputation for minimalist, observational storytelling. A significant figure in the New Argentine Cinema movement, he frequently employs non-professional actors, long takes, and sparse dialogue to examine themes of isolation and the passage of time across diverse environments.
Early Development and the Lonely Men Trilogy
Born on 2 June 1975 in Buenos Aires, Alonso studied filmmaking at the Universidad del Cine, focusing on sound design and directing. His early experience included co-directing the 1995 short film Dos en la vereda with Catriel Vildosola. Between his graduation and 2000, he worked as an assistant director and sound designer. He launched his feature career with Freedom, followed by Los muertos in 2004 and Fantasma in 2006, together forming the Lonely Men Trilogy.
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Alonso shifted toward more fictional narratives with the 2008 film Liverpool, which explored the return of a sailor to Tierra del Fuego. In 2014, he reached a turning point with Jauja, his first period piece, set in nineteenth-century Patagonia and starring Viggo Mortensen. The film earned the FIPRESCI Prize at the 67th Cannes Film Festival. Following this success, he held a residency at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and a fellowship at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute.
Later Projects and Acting Roles
His 2023 triptych Eureka explored indigenous history in the Americas, moving from the Old West to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Amazon rainforest. In addition to directing, Alonso expanded his presence in front of the camera, appearing in the 2023 film The Dead Don't Hurt and portraying Mr. Cotter in Luca Guadagnino's 2024 feature Queer. As of early 2026, he began filming a remake of Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry titled The Scent of the Pitanga.
Technical Approach and Philosophy
Alonso frequently serves as his own writer, director, and editor, often producing through his company, 4L. He maintains a preference for 35 mm film stock over digital formats, citing the physical weight of the equipment as a factor that necessitates more deliberate planning. While critics often categorize his work within the slow cinema movement, Alonso has stated that he does not intend to align his projects with specific cinematic labels.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 June 1975, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Primary Occupations: Director, screenwriter, film editor
- Production Company: 4L
- Notable Award: FIPRESCI Prize, 67th Cannes Film Festival (2014)
- Acting role (2024): Mr. Cotter in Queer
- Upcoming project: The Scent of the Pitanga (2026)
Questions readers ask
Does Lisandro Alonso work with professional actors?
Although he is known for casting non-professional actors, he has collaborated with professional performers including Viggo Mortensen and Chiara Mastroianni in his later films.
What is the typical subject matter of his films?
His work often examines solitary individuals in remote settings, focusing on themes of labor, isolation, and the passage of time through observational, sparse narratives.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film editor
