Jorge Wolney Atalla Junior, a renowned film director, was born on June 10, 1969. He holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in business from the prestigious Business School Lausanne in Switzerland. In 1999, he made the bold decision to relocate to New York to pursue his passion for filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, following a one-year intensive film program.
After gaining valuable experience, Atalla returned to Brazil in 2000 and embarked on an ambitious project, filming his first feature-length documentary, "In Cane for Life" (A Vide em Cana). This poignant film showcases the challenges faced by sugarcane field workers, with Atalla living among hundreds of workers for six months to capture their essence and humanity. The documentary received widespread acclaim, screening at 56 film festivals in 11 countries and winning an impressive 14 awards, including nine for best documentary, including a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy.
In 2002, Atalla began working on his next documentary, "Sequestro", which delves into the gripping topic of kidnapping. The director spent two years searching for partners and sponsors, but ultimately found himself facing a daunting challenge due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. After securing the necessary permits, Atalla spent a year building relationships with the Anti-Kidnapping Division, allowing him to gain unparalleled access to their operations. Filming began in late 2005 and concluded in May 2009.
Throughout his life, Atalla has been a world traveler, residing in the United States for six years, Europe for seven years, and Japan for one year. He is a polyglot, speaking fluent English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian, and possessing a basic understanding of Japanese.
In addition to his impressive film career, Atalla serves as the President of the Brazilian Red Cross, São Paulo State Branch. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and holds licenses for both airplanes and helicopters.
