Trivia

Considered the greatest Brazilian director of all time.

Has the distinction of being the only Brazilian director to have more than one film listed in the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" by Steven Jay Schneider. Films listed are: Black God, White Devil (1964) and Entranced Earth (1967).

Winner of "Palm D'Or" of best director in Cannes Festival, France, in 1969 for "O Dragão da Maldade Contra o Santo Guerreiro".

Had his own funerals pictured in the film "Glauber, o Filme, Labirinto do Brasil (2003).

In the beginning of the 1960s, he formed links to other like-minded rising directors, as Ruy Guerra, Carlos Diegues, Arnaldo Jabor and Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, setting up the so-called "Cinema Novo" movement.

Along with Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Carlos Diegues and Walter Salles is one of four Brazilian directors to had their movies selected to the Palme D'or at the Cannes Film Festival with three films for each director. Rocha is the only one who had three victories in other categories, including one Best Director win. As of 2022, he's the only Brazilian director to win in the Best Director category at Cannes.

Father of Ava Patria Yndia Yracema Gaitan Rocha (b. 1979) and Eryk Rocha (b. 1978), with Paula Gaitan.

Brother of actress Anecy Rocha and Ana Marcelina Rocha (died in 1952).

Father of Paloma Rocha (b. 1960), with Helena Ignez.

Father of Pedro Paulo Lima (b. 1977) with Maria Aparecida Braga and Daniel Jardim Gomes Rocha (b. 1971), with Martha Jardim Gomes.

Son of Adamastor Bráulio Silva Rocha and Lúcia Mendes de Andrade.