Luis Bunuel.  He made great, great films for almost 50 years starting with his great surrealistic films of the late 20s/early 30s, his great mexican (The New World) period from 49 Los Olvidados to the mid 60s Extermintaing Angel/Simon of the Desert & his great Spanish/French (European) phase from 1960s Viridiana to the 1970s Discreet Charm.  He never failed to amaze, charm, change & educate us.  cheers, Tony Block