The film "Ainda Estou Aqui" can be one of the finalists in Oscar 2025 - Photo: Alexandre Macieira

By: Maria Eduarda Macieira (Grade 4)

The film “Ainda Estou Aqui” was chosen to represent Brazil in the category Best International Movie of the Oscars 2025, after a decision by the “Academia Brasileira de Cinema e Artes Audiovisuais”. We need to wait, then, for the confirmation of the Oscar Academy with the list of the finalists, which will be published on December 17th. On January 17th, the five nominees will be disclosed. Directed by Walter Salles and starring Selton Mello and Fernanda Torres, the Brazilian production is an adaptation of the book written by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, “Ainda Estou Aqui”.

The movie narrates the story of Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), the mother of the writer of the inspiration book, who lived happily with her five kids and her husband Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) in a beachfront house in Rio de Janeiro. But Eunice, in the development of the plot, went through the challenges and despairs of the Military Dictatorship, when her husband disappears after being taken by militaries. Confused and uncertain about Rubens’ destiny, Eunice plans a new life for her and her children. The character, then, needs to recognize her fear and pain to overcome them. The film includes the special participation of Fernanda Montenegro, also playing Eunice Paiva.

The last time that a Brazilian movie was nominated in the category Best International Movie of the Oscars was in 1999, with “Central do Brasil”, a film also directed by Walter Salles.

Before the release of “Ainda Estou Aqui” in Brazil, the movie was exhibited at the festivals of Toronto (Canada) and San Sebastián (Espanha). There was also its exhibition at the Festival of Cinema of New York, at AFI Fest and at Veneza Festival 2024. This last festival was a really special moment, because in the 81st edition of the event, the movie won the best script award. It was a very memorable day for the cast too, because, on the occasion, the audience applauded the movie for ten minutes, making Fernanda Torres e Selton Mello very happy and emotional.

At the press conference that took place in the 48th edition of Mostra Internacional de Cinema de São Paulo, at the end of October, the actors commented about how they felt to play their characters.

“It was a story that I knew from headlines, but I didn’t know that it goes far beyond what I could imagine. And then, Walter calls me and, suddenly, I have Eunice ahead of me, with the responsibility of an unique woman, a woman that never made a point to be recognized. She goes from ‘Rubens Paiva widow’ to ‘Marcelo Paiva ‘s mother’, moving revolutions always in a dignified manner. She had a persuasive resistance.”, said Fernanda Torres, about playing Eunice Paiva.

“I am from the generation that was completely impacted by “Feliz Ano Velho”, I love and respect Marcelo and never imagined in life that one day I would do his father in a film. It has been very emotional, I can’t deny it. I had pictures of Rubens to be a guide, but any image with movements. I saw pictures, I heard things about Rubens from Marcelo, about the sisters and friends. My mission in the film was to illuminate the first half, spiritually saying, more than technically.” reported Selton Mello, emotional, about playing Rubens Paiva.

And on November 7th the movie was released and has already been exhibited at the cinema rooms, making Brazil meet the story of the film that can be one of the nominees of Oscar 2025.

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