FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2007 file photo, film director Hector Babenco poses at the presentation of his movie, 'El Pasado' (The Past) at the Rome Film Festival. The Argentine-born Brazilian director nominated for an Oscar for his 1985 film "Kiss of the Spider Woman" has died at the age of 70. Denise Winther a producer at HB Films said Babenco died Wednesday night, July 13, 2016, of a heart attack at Sao Paulo's Sirio-Libanes Hospital. (AP Photo/Sandro Pace, File)

Film director Hector Babenco dies in Brazil

SAO PAULO – The Argentine-born Brazilian director nominated for an Oscar for his 1985 film “Kiss of the Spider Woman” has died. Hector Babenco was 70.

Denise Winther of Babenco’s HB Films says the director died Wednesday night of a heart attack at Sao Paulo’s Sirio-Libanes Hospital.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” also was nominated for best picture and William Hurt won the Best Actor Oscar

Babenco also directed “Ironweed” with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, who were nominated for best actor and actress Oscars.

His last film was “My Hindu Friend” starring Willem Dafoe. It tells the story of a film director close to death.

Babenco is survived by his wife Barbara and daughter Janka.

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