RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: April 12, 1956

Background: Salles was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He and his three brothers are heirs to Unibanco, one of the largest banks in South America. He attended the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Filmography: After a number of TV projects, he made the feature film "Foreign Land" in 1995, which was acclaimed in Brazil and was screened and numerous film festivals around the world. His next film was an even greater international success: "Central Station" (1998), which earned Oscar nominations for Best Actress (Fernanda Montenegro) and Best Foreign Language Film. After "O Primeiro Dia" (1998) and "Behind the Sun" (2001), he directed his biggest international hit, "The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004), about a young Che Guevara. The Spanish-language biopic was also the director's first non-Portuguese film. In 2005, he helmed his first Hollywood project, the supernatural thriller "Dark Water" starring Jennifer Connelly. In 2008 he wrote and directed "Linha de Passe," which won Best Actress honors at Cannes for its star Sandra Corveloni. This year he helms an adaptation of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," starring Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, and Sam Riley.

BAFTA Awards: Wins - Best Foreign Language Film ("The Motorcycle Diaries," 2005; "Central Station," 1999). Nomination - Best Foreign Language Film ("Behind the Sun," 2002)

Cannes Film Festival: Wins - François Chalais Award ("The Motorcycle Diaries," 2004); Prize of the Ecumenical Jury ("The Motorcycle Diaries," 2004). Nominations - Palme d'Or ("Linha de Passe," 2008; "The Motorcycle Diaries," 2004)

Independent Spirit Awards: Nominations - Best Director ("The Motorcycle Diaries," 2005); Best Foreign Film ("Central Station," 1999)