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The Oscar 2025 marks a historic moment for Brazilian cinema with the nominations of “I’m still here”, directed by Walter Salles, in the categories best film, best international film and best actress for Fernanda Torres.
For the first time, a national Portuguese movie is nominated for the best film award, consolidating Brazil as an important participant in the global film scene. This achievement reinforces the relevance of Brazilian narratives in competitions of international prestige and highlights the quality of work of artists, producers and filmmakers in the country.
Oscar 2025/Photo: Reproduction
“I’m still here” is based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s autobiography and explores the life of Eunice Paiva, played brilliantly by Fernanda Torres. The plot revolves around Eunice’s struggle during the Brazilian military dictatorship after the disappearance of her husband, Rubens Paiva, former federal deputy who was arrested and killed by the regime. The emotional and impactful narrative has attracted world care since its debut at the Venice Festival in September 2024, where it received praise for the depth of its history and the striking performance of its protagonist.
Fernanda Torres, at the age of 59, was widely recognized for her performance, which earned her the Golden Globe for best actress in drama film in January 2025. This recognition paved the way for her Oscar nomination, making her one of the main figures from Brazil in the competition. The ceremony, scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, promises to be a memorable event for Brazilians.
Walter Salles and his contribution to cinema
Walter Salles, renowned Brazilian director, has had other opportunities to represent Brazil in the Oscars, as in 1999, with “Central do Brasil”, and in 2005, with “motorcycle diaries”. In “I’m still here,” he once again demonstrates his ability to tell deeply human and universal stories, exploring themes of memory, resistance and justice. The film is an example of how cinema can be a powerful tool for revisiting and reflecting on historical events.
Salles gathered a team of talents to bring this production to life. Careful photography, moving soundtrack and precise direction created a movie that is both a historical document and a prominent artistic piece. These elements were essential to capture the essence of the period portrayed and convey the emotional strength of Eunice Paiva’s story.
How the voting process in the Oscar works
The Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, responsible for the award, is composed of approximately 10,900 members, of which 9,900 are qualified to vote. Academy members are divided into specific branches, such as actors, directors, writers and editors. Most Oscar categories are indicated by members of the corresponding branch. For example, actors indicate actors and directors indicate directors. However, categories as best international film and best animation feature have special voting rules.
The voting process is rigorous and involves the supervision of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the audit company responsible for keeping the results confidential until the night of the awards. Only two auditors have access to the final results, which are revealed during the live ceremony.
Brazilian presence in the gym
Currently, Brazil has 53 members at the academy, including actors, directors, producers, writers and musicians. Names like Fernanda Montenegro, Wagner Moura, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Selton Mello are among the country’s representatives. This presence reflects the growing recognition of Brazilian talent in the international film industry.
The diversity of Brazilian professionals in the academy also highlights the richness of national productions. From renowned directors such as Anna Muylaert and Laís Bodanzky to musicians such as Carlinhos Brown, the Brazilian contribution covers several areas of cinema. Recently, the gym lost musician Sérgio Mendes, who died in 2024, but its influence is still remembered.
The nominees and the fierce competition
“I’m still here” faces heavy competitors in the best movie category, such as “Emilia Pérez”, “The Brutalist” and “Wicked”. The French film “Emilia Pérez” leads nominations with 13 categories, while “The Bruly” and “Wicked” appear with 10 each. This competition reflects the diversity and quality of this year’s film productions.
In addition, the best international film category includes works that represent different cultural and historical perspectives, showing the richness of world cinema. The presence of “I am still here” in this category reinforces the importance of Brazilian productions to highlight local issues with universal appeal.
The importance of ‘I’m still here’ to Brazil
“I’m still here” goes beyond a simple artistic recognition. The film is a powerful reminder of the dark past of the military dictatorship in Brazil and the struggle of individuals such as Eunice Paiva for justice and memory. By bringing this history to the international public, production contributes to the dialogue on human rights and democracy.
The warm reception of the film also highlights the strength of cinema as a tool for social transformation. By reaching a global audience, “I’m still here” helps broaden the understanding of Brazilian history and the importance of preserving collective memory.
MAIN MOMENTS OF PRODUCTION
- Premiere in Venice: The film was first featured at the Venice Festival in September 2024, where he received critics.
- International Recognition: After the debut, “I’m still here” participated in other film festivals, winning awards and consolidating his position as a favorite Oscar.
- Golden Globe Indication: Fernanda Torres won the Golden Globe for best actress in drama film, a milestone for Brazilian cinema.
- Preparation for the Oscar: The film team, led by Walter Salles, participated in events and promotional campaigns to ensure the support of the gym members.
Curiosities about ‘I’m still here’
- Fernanda Torres spent months studying the life of Eunice Paiva to play the role authenticity.
- Walter Salles worked with historians and consultants to ensure the accuracy of the historical events portrayed in the film.
- The soundtrack of the film was composed by Antonio Pinto, known for his works in “City of God” and “Amy.”
The expectation for the ceremony
With the Oscar ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theater, attention is focused on “I’m still here” and their historical indications. The presentation will be conducted by Conan O’Brien, ensuring a night of entertainment and celebration of world cinema.
The film’s trajectory to Oscar is already a victory for Brazilian cinema, which continues to gain international recognition. Regardless of the result, “I’m still here” symbolizes a milestone in Brazil’s cultural history and inspires future generations of filmmakers and artists.
