Leon Hirszman (22 November 1937 â 15 September 1987) was a Brazilian filmmaker, producer and screenwriter, and one of the main figures of Cinema Novo.
A member of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), his work was marked by the influence of Marxist ideas, representation of the working class, and the political turmoil of Latin America during the military dictatorship in Brazil.
He is best known for directing the 1981 film They Don't Wear Black Tie which won the Special Jury Prize at the 38th Venice International Film Festival.
His other films include Fernanda Montenegro's 1965 film debut The Deceased, the 1972 adaptation of Graciliano Ramos's S. Bernardo and the documentary ABC da Greve.
Hirszman died from complications of HIV/AIDS in 1987. He was married with Cláudia Fares Menhem, and had three children: Irma, Maria and João Pedro.