| Flavio Alves | |
|---|---|
on the set of The Secret Friend, New York, March 13, 2009 |
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| Born | Flavio Pimenta Alves November 30, 1969 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Partner | Randall Martusis |
| Website | |
| http://www.queenspicture.com | |
Flavio Alves (born 30 November 1969) is a Brazilian writer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his book Toque de Silêncio ("Call to Silence", 1997), an autobiographical account of his life as a gay man in the Brazilian navy.[1]
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Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and served the Brazilian navy for several years before coming to America in 1997. He was granted political asylum in the United States in 1998 based on political opinion and sexual orientation. His request was granted because, according to Alves, he received death threats upon publishing his book. Although various human rights organizations, LGBT activists, and former São Paulo mayor Marta Suplicy supported his claim, it has also divided the Brazilian gay community.[2] He attended Columbia University in New York City, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science. He also worked as an assistant for Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and then-New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).[3]
In 2007, Alves left politics and enrolled at New York University to study film production. While there he wrote and directed, Even in My Dreams, which received the Technisphere Award from NYU for best student film, and was screened at a variety of film festivals around the world. The film was also the winner of the Golden Palm Award at the 2009 Mexico International Film Festival, and the Golden Ace Award at the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival.[4][5][6] In June 2010, Flavio released his new short film, The Secret Friend, starring Viola Harris and Siobhan Fallon in the major roles.[7] The film had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it was chosen as Best of the Fest.[8]
Flavio lives in Forest Hills, New York with his same-sex partner Randall Martusis. In April 2010, Alves became a US citizen.