Florence Pugh pays tribute as Hollywood star dies aged 52

Florence Pugh. <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Florence Pugh. (Image: PA)
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A heartbroken Florence Pugh has paid tribute after a Hollywood star director died at the age of 52.

The actress, who was born in Oxford and grew up in the city, took to Instagram following the death of director and collaborator Sebastián Lelio.

Mr Lelio died last week after experiencing "health complications," according to his partner Amalia Kassai.

The writer and director had worked with Florence Pugh on the 2022 film "The Wonder," and Ms Pugh shared a tribute to him on social media on Monday.

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She wrote: "My heart is broken. He was a man who was so firmly on our side.

"He cared so deeply for women, he dedicated his work to telling the stories of women and all of the different hardships and pain.

"He was sensitive, with bright blue beaming eyes that stared into your soul even if you were talking about breakfast.

"We fell in love over food, we had so much to talk about with the script of The Wonder, but the thing that really allowed us to share a heartbeat was love of food.

"Meat, stews, cheese, red wine. OH RED WINE we both would scream."

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She continued: "He would take me out for foodie dinners in Dublin to talk about the project but we'd just be giddy over the chefs choices sent out.

"So it's not lost on me that right before I'd found out about his passing, I'd purchased a special cut of beef and a special red wine, almost as a preparation for his mourning.

"I cooked it. Drank it. And thought and spoke of how unique and mesmerising he was.

"I smiled through tears as I looked at my plate because I knew he would have smiled at it too."

In addition to The Wonder, Mr Lelio was best known for the 2017 film A Fantastic Woman, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

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"With great sadness, we announce the death, following health complications, of Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio," Kassai wrote in translation.

"We are going through a time of profound grief, and his memory will remain with us forever.

"He was a wonderful person who made significant contributions to Chilean culture at important moments in its history.

"As a family, we ask for privacy and consideration during these difficult times."

Ms Pugh concluded her tribute by reflecting on Mr Lelio's talent and his belief in the importance of dancing whenever possible.

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"He taught me the need and importance of dancing. Regularly. Ugly but human dancing," Ms Pugh finished.

"He was patient. He was gentle. He was a brilliant artist and a director whose actions in his art made a difference.

"This loss has really hurt my heart, and a big painful reminder that we don't have forever."

Before his death, Mr Lelio had been working on an adaptation of Alejandro Zambra's novel The Chilean Poet.

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