Zelito Viana was born on May 5, 1938 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil as José Viana Paula de Oliveira. He is a director and producer, known for Avaeté - Semente da Vingança (1985), Morte e Vida Severina (1977) and Villa-Lobos - Uma Vida de Paixão (2000). He is married to Vera Maria de Paula. He was honored in numerous Festivals for his work and became a reference in Brazilian cinema.