Before Night Falls is directed by a man.
Before Night Falls is a 2000 American biographical romantic drama directed by Julian Schnabel . Julian Schnabel . In the 1980s , Schnabel received international media attention for his `` plate paintings '' -- large-scale paintings set on broken ceramic plates . Schnabel directed Before Night Falls , which became Javier Bardem 's breakthrough Academy Award-nominated role , and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly , which was nominated for four Academy Awards . He has won the award for best director at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival , a Golden Globe , as well as BAFTA , a César Award , two nominations for the Golden Lion and an Academy Award nomination .