He studied Law. He also directed theatre pieces, wrote movie criticisms and took part in the creation and development of the 'cinema novo' movement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, becoming its theoretical leader and first embassador in Europe. After "Barravento (1962)", "Black God, White Devil (1964)", "Entranced Earth (1967)" and "Antonio das Mortes (1969)" he won various international prizes. As he symbolized the feelings of the ideology of the May of 1968, he became very popular in Europe and America. He went into exile, filming in Africa, Spain and Portugal, and returning to Brazil in the late 70s, where he also hosted the popular politics tv show "Abertura". His last film was the controversial "The Age of the Earth (1980)".