Fernanda Torres won the 2025 Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in “I’m Still Here,” making her the first Brazilian actress to receive this accolade. The film explores Brazil’s dark historical context, with Torres portraying Eunice Paiva, who seeks justice following her husband’s abduction. The film’s release resonates with current political issues in Brazil, highlighting the ongoing fight for democracy and human rights.
Fernanda Torres has made history by winning the Best Actress award at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards for her role in the political biopic “I’m Still Here,” becoming the first Brazilian actress to achieve this honor. The film’s success also led to her nomination for an Oscar, echoing her mother, Fernanda Montenegro’s nomination nearly three decades ago. “We have a nominated DNA,” Torres remarked about the familial legacy in acting.
In “I’m Still Here,” Torres portrays Eunice Paiva, the wife of Brazilian politician Rubens Paiva, who was abducted and killed by the military government following Brazil’s 1964 coup. Interestingly, Montenegro plays an older version of Eunice. The film is directed by Walter Salles, who received an Oscar nomination in 1999, showcasing a poignant collaboration between mother and daughter.
Set against Brazil’s dark past, the film begins in 1970, six years post-coup, where Rubens returns home only to be seized by the government in 1971, prompting Eunice to search for answers while experiencing numerous tragedies. Despite such profound sorrow, Eunice’s steadfastness becomes a pivotal part of her narrative.
Throughout the film, Eunice endures extreme challenges without shedding tears; she believes vulnerability would signify a victory for the oppressive regime. Torres explains that Eunice’s resilience is a portrayal of strength, moving beyond traditional depictions of victimhood.
The film’s release is timely, coinciding with the contemporary political climate in Brazil, where it has sparked significant public interest. Torres is pleasantly surprised by the support for a film addressing painful history, suggesting a collective realization of past threats reemerging in modern politics.
Torres hopes that the film serves as a rallying point for advocating justice, education, and democratic values in today’s challenging atmosphere. She emphasizes the importance of Eunice’s legacy as a guiding force for current and future generations.
Fernanda Torres’s triumph at the Golden Globes and Oscars represents both personal achievement and a familial legacy in the realm of Brazilian cinema. The film “I’m Still Here” portrays the dark history of Brazil’s dictatorship through the lens of resilience and justice, resonating deeply with contemporary audiences. Torres emphasizes the film’s importance in prompting conversations about democracy and human rights, reflecting the ongoing struggle against political oppression in Brazil.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
