In Europe, Juliana Carneiro da Cunha worked with Maurice Béjart, Maguy Marin and Ariane Mnouchkine.

[2] She was recognized in Brazilian cinema for her award-winning performance in the film To the Left of the Father (2001), directed by Luiz Fernando Carvalho, in which she plays the mother of André (Selton Mello), the prodigal son who returns to the house and finally shakes the foundations of the family of Lebanese origin.

Carneiro da Cunha has also recently appeared in Brazilian television in the mini-series Hoje é dia de Maria (2005), also directed by Luiz Fernando Carvalho.

Her career as an actress began on a Brazilian theater stage and includes works such as As Lágrimas Amargas de Petra von Kant (English title: Petra von Kant's Bitter Tears), featuring Fernanda Montenegro, in 1982, and Mão na Luva (English title: Hand in the Glove), featuring Marco Nanini, in 1984.

She plays the dedicated mother in Lavoura Arcaica (To the left of the father) (2001), directed by Luiz Fernando Carvalho, based on the novel by Raduan Nassar.