Synopsis
Walter Salles’ film ‘I’m Still Here’ has made history for Brazil by winning the Academy Award for International Feature. The film tells the poignant story of Eunice Paiva's quest for justice during Brazil’s military dictatorship, overcoming strong contenders.Key Takeaways
- I’m Still Here is a significant win for Brazil.
- The film explores a woman's struggle for justice.
- It defeated several international films.
- This marks Brazil's first Oscar win in this category.
- Mother-daughter duo Fernanda Montenegro and Fernanda Torres both received nominations.
Los Angeles, March 3 (NationPress) Walter Salles’ drama “I’m Still Here” has achieved a groundbreaking milestone for Brazil by winning the Academy Award in the International Feature category.
“I’m Still Here”, which narrates the true story of Eunice Paiva’s lengthy pursuit of justice following her husband’s disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship, has garnered increasing attention in recent weeks, according to reports by variety.com.
The film triumphed over France’s “Emilia Perez”, Germany’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”, Denmark’s “The Girl With the Needle”, and Latvia’s “Flow”.
“I’m so honored to receive this, and in such an extraordinary group of filmmakers,” Salles expressed during his acceptance speech.
He continued: “This goes to a woman who, after a loss suffered during an authoritarian regime, decided not to bend. And to resist. So, this prize goes to her. And it goes to the two extraordinary women who gave life to her, Fernanda Torres, and Fernanda Montenegro.”
Brazil has submitted films to the international feature category annually since 1960, achieving five prior nominations: “Keeper of Promises” (1962), “O Quatrilho” (1995), “Four Days in September” (1997), “Central Station” (1998), and now, “I’m Still Here.” However, until tonight, the country had never secured a win in the category.
This triumph is especially meaningful for Salles, who also directed “Central Station,” the last Brazilian film to earn a nod.
That film’s lead actress, Fernanda Montenegro, made history as the first Brazilian actor nominated for an Academy Award. Now, her daughter, Fernanda Torres, follows in her footsteps as the second Brazilian performer nominated in the same category.
Their nominations place Montenegro and Torres in an elite group of Oscar-nominated mother-daughter duos, including Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis, Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson, and Ingrid Bergman and Isabella Rossellini, the latter of whom is also nominated this year for “Conclave.”
