Thiago Zanato
Directing
Biography
Thiago Zanato is a Brazilian-American filmmaker splitting his time between the USA and Brazil. He moved to the USA in 2005 and got involved in film as the creative director of several projects. In 2017 he directs the short film La Flaca. He is currently working on Exu and the Order of the Universe, a film about the influence of the Yorubá culture in the rest of the world.
Known For
Esu is a popular African deity for thousands of years and we may never know its exact origin. But it is possible to understand how Esu went from God in Africa to Devil in Brazil. This tragic story, which goes through colonization and slavery, is not over yet. “EXU and the Universe” follows the complex path of a culture transformed into resistance over several centuries.
Esu and the Universe
The Bony Lady (La Flaca) is a film about Arely Vazquez, a transgender woman and leader of the Santa Muerte (Saint Death) Cult in Queens, New York. During her yearly celebration to the Bony Lady (‘La Flaca’ as she likes to call her), Arely faces a lot of challenges to fulfill a promise she made ten years ago.
The Bony Lady
As a powerful storm sweeps through Southeast Mexico, a family takes refuge in their small meat shop. In the dead of night, their grandmother weaves an ancient tale of the Xtbay-a spirit born of grief and longing-to help them confront their fears and hold onto hope as their father is lost in the storm.