Brazil Erupts in Celebration After Historic ‘I’m Still Here’ Oscar Win
Sony Pictures Classics
The people of Brazil are celebrating the historic victory for I’m Still Here at last night’s Academy Awards. The movie, which starred Fernanda Torres, became the first from their country to win an Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.
I’m Still Here was nominated for three Oscars at the 97th annual ceremony. The nominations included Best Actress for Torres, who played real-life lawyer and activist Eunice Paiva, Best International Feature, and Best Picture. In the latter category, it was the first movie produced in Brazil to be nominated for the show’s top prize. Torres’ mother Fernanda Montenegro also appeared in film as an older version of Paiva.
I’m Still Here ended up taking the Oscar for Brazil in the Best International Feature Film category. In his speech, Brazilian director Walter Salles gave a shoutout to “Brazilian cinema.” He also thanked Torres, Montenegro, and the movie’s late subject Paiva.
Many Brazilians were watching the Oscars last night in bars, clubs, and even in massive projections on buildings.
And people flooded the streets and cheered when I’m Still Here won in the Best International Feature Film category.
On X, one person wrote in Portuguese, “In Brazil, they screamed out loud like it was the World Cup.”
Another person wrote, “Sorry, but even with all the problems in our country, I thank God for being born here when this kind of thing happens! It’s our way. Only we have it.”
Torres was following in her mother’s footsteps in the Best Actress category. In 1999, Montenegro became the first person from Brazil and Latin America to be nominated in the same category. Mikey Madison from Anora ended up winning Best Actress. That same movie also took home the award for Best Picture. Zoe Saldaña also made history for Dominicans as well at the Oscars with her win for Best Supporting Actress.