A meal: florence pugh honors late wonder director sebastian lelio with beef and wine he would have loved

A tribute to Lelio

Pugh shared a selfie with Lelio on Instagram on Monday, November 9, alongside a personal tribute. She wrote that she was still processing his death and struggling to accept that he was gone.

They met while making The Wonder, the 2022 period drama. Pugh praised Lelio for telling women’s stories and said he cared deeply about women and their hardships.

A bond over food

Pugh described Lelio as sensitive and recalled that they fell in love over food while discussing the script. Their shared favorites included meat, stews, cheese and red wine. She said Lelio took her to dinners in Dublin to talk about the project, though they often became excited about the chefs’ choices.

A meal in his memory

Before learning of Lelio’s death, Pugh had bought a special cut of beef and red wine. She cooked the meal, drank the wine and thought about him, saying she smiled through tears because she knew he would have enjoyed it. Pugh also said Lelio taught her about dancing, including what she called “ugly but human dancing.” She remembered him as gentle and brilliant, and sent love to his family and friends.

Death announced at 52

Lelio’s partner, Amalia Kassai, announced that he died on November 6 at age 52. She said he died “due to health reasons” and was found deceased at his home in Santiago, Chile.