Viviana Cordero (Quito, August 3, 1964) is an Ecuadorian writer, playwright, and film director. She studied Modern Literature at the Sorbonne in Paris and began her career in 1990 by co-producing Sensaciones, the first Ecuadorian feature film made in 35mm. Cordero is known for her novels, including El Paraíso de Ariana (1994), El Teatro de los Monstruos (2000), and Mundos Opuestos (2010), as well as for her significant contributions to Ecuadorian theater and cinema. Her works explore themes of identity, memory, and societal roles, particularly focusing on women’s experiences.
Early Life and Education
Viviana Patricia Cordero Espinosa was born on August 3, 1964, in Quito, Ecuador. She completed her primary and secondary education at the Colegio Americano de Quito. In 1981, she moved to Paris, where she finished her last year of high school at the American School of Paris. Subsequently, she pursued higher education in France, studying French Civilization and Modern Literature at Paris IV (Sorbonne) between 1983 and 1987.
Literary Career
Viviana Cordero is a prolific Ecuadorian writer, known for her multifaceted work as a novelist, playwright, and film director. She published her first novel, El Paraíso de Ariana, in 1994. This novel reflects the experiences of a young girl grappling with the complexities of her childhood and family. Her second novel, El Teatro de los Monstruos (2000), explores the turbulent transition from adolescence to adulthood. The work gained attention for its psychological depth, depicting four friends whose lives are shaped by youthful rebellion and existential dilemmas. Other notable novels include Una pobre, tan ¿qué hace? (2002), which provides a raw narrative about social class and the struggles of a domestic worker, and Mundos Opuestos (2010), a tale of twin sisters with contrasting personalities.
In 2011, she released Voces, a novel that examines the personal reflections of a woman in her forties, intertwined with historical narratives of other women. Her most recent novel, Tres pasos de baile (2019), focuses on a widow who finds herself liberated after the death of her husband, offering a poignant commentary on memory, life choices, and the passage of time.
Theatrical Work
Cordero has also made significant contributions to theater. Her plays are known for exploring complex human emotions and societal issues. In 2000, she debuted with Mano a Mano, followed by Tres (2001), which dealt with migration and the personal struggles associated with it. Among her most renowned works is María Magdalena, la mujer borrada (2004), a monologue that seeks to dismantle myths surrounding the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene. She has also adapted Los Monólogos de la Vagina (2003) by Eve Ensler for Ecuadorian audiences.
Her other theatrical works include Escenas Familiares (2009), De arrugas y bisturís (2007), La Torera (2006), and Anatomía (2010), each tackling themes of family dynamics, personal identity, and the role of women in society. In 2018, she premiered the play ¿Bailamos…?, a humorous exploration of romantic relationships and the complexities of human connection.
Film and Television Career
Cordero’s career in film began in 1990 when she co-wrote and co-produced Sensaciones, the first Ecuadorian feature film made in 35mm, alongside her brother, Juan Esteban Cordero. She then directed Un Titán en el Ring (2003), a film about Ecuador’s wrestling culture, and No Robarás… a menos que sea necesario (2013), which won a production award from the Ecuadorian National Film Council in 2010. Her film Retazos de Vida (2008), produced by Films Factory, is another highlight in her filmography.
In television, she wrote and directed El Gran Retorno (1996), a teleserie of 24 episodes. This show earned her the prestigious Ernesto Albán Mosquera Award in 1998, recognizing her outstanding achievement in audiovisual production.
Personal Life
Viviana Cordero comes from a family involved in the arts; her brother Sebastián Cordero is also a well-known film director. She resides in Quito with her son, Tiag, and is known for her devotion to her family, including her twin daughters Nadia and Morgana from a previous relationship.
Legacy and Influence
Viviana Cordero is regarded as one of the most influential Ecuadorian artists of her generation. Her work, spanning literature, theater, and film, is known for its exploration of identity, memory, and societal roles, particularly those of women. Her ability to balance creative storytelling with deep psychological insight has earned her critical acclaim across multiple disciplines. Cordero’s contributions to Ecuadorian culture have made her a key figure in the country’s literary and cinematic scenes.
Recognitions and Accolades
In 1995, Cordero won the prestigious Sol de Oro Award at the 3rd Demetrio Aguilera Malta Film and Video Festival for her short film El Gran Retorno, which also won awards for best screenplay and best female performance. Throughout her career, she has garnered numerous other accolades, including the Ernesto Albán Mosquera Award for El Gran Retorno.
Selected Works
Novels:
- El Paraíso de Ariana (1994)
- El Teatro de los Monstruos (2000)
- Una pobre, tan ¿qué hace? (2002)
- Mundos Opuestos (2010)
- Voces (2011)
- Tres Pasos de Baile (2019)
Theater (Plays):
- Mano a Mano (2000)
- Tres (2001)
- Los Monólogos de la Vagina (2003) (Adaptation)
- María Magdalena, la mujer borrada (2004)
- Escenas Familiares (2009)
- De Arrugas y Bisturís (2007)
- La Torera (2006)
- Anatomía (2010)
- ¿Amor?… Puertas Afuera (2009)
- Amores.com (2013)
- ¿Bailamos…? (2018)
Films (Director/Writer):
- Sensaciones (1990) (Co-writer and co-producer)
- Un Titán en el Ring (2003)
- Retazos de Vida (2008)
- No Robarás… a menos que sea necesario (2013)
- Solo es una más (2017)
Television:
- El Gran Retorno (1996) (Teleserie, 24 episodes)
References
- Wikipedia, “Viviana Cordero.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Heroinas.net, “Viviana Cordero escritora y directora de cine y teatro.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Dramaturgias del Mundo, “Acerca de Viviana Cordero (Ecuador).” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Goodreads, “Viviana Cordero.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Tregolam, “Entrevista con Viviana Cordero, autora de El teatro de los monstruos.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- PressReader, “Viviana Cordero.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Wikiwand, “Viviana Cordero.” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.