He could do so because of his reputation derived from such films as Viridiana.  
When Akira Kurosawa could not find funds for Japanese investors to produce his epic film Ran, this man brought European and American investors together to fund it.  He could do so because of his reputation derived from such films as Viridiana.  He also directed Belle de Jour featuring Catherine Deneuve and The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie, which won an Oscar for best foreign film.  Films like The Age of Gold earned him the title of father of cinematic surrealism.  FTP, name this man perhaps most famous for his collaboration with Salvador Dali in his seventeen-minute film Un Chien Andalou, or An Andalusian Dog.
When Akira Kurosawa could not find funds for Japanese investors to produce his epic film Ran, this man brought European and American investors together to fund it.  
Luis Bunuel