SAO PAULO (AP) — This year, Brazil’s Carnival is being overshadowed by the excitement surrounding actress Fernanda Torres, who is vying for the best actress Oscar on Sunday. The timing of the Oscars during Carnival, Brazil’s biggest celebration, has captured the country’s attention and highlighted its pride in its culture and desire for global recognition.
Torres, nominated for her leading role in the film “I’m Still Here,” has become a national sensation, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of the awards ceremony. The focus on the Oscars has been so intense that even Brazil’s largest TV network, TV Globo, has decided to broadcast the ceremony live, opting out of airing the highly anticipated Carnival parades.
Throughout Brazil, bars and nightclubs are hosting Oscar watch parties, and even the Sambadrome in Rio will be showcasing the results on a big screen for Carnival spectators. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his support for Torres and the film on social media, emphasizing the country’s collective anticipation and excitement.
The enthusiasm for Torres has transcended geographical boundaries, with an Indigenous community in the Amazon organizing a screening of the film to show their support. Torres’ image adorns masks, T-shirts, and caps, with phrases like “Life is worth it!” becoming popular slogans at Carnival events and street parties.
The Oscar buzz surrounding Torres is likened to a national victory, with feminist writer Milly Lacombe describing it as a unifying force for the divided country. The unexpected success of “I’m Still Here” has not only captivated audiences in Brazil but has also showcased the talent and potential of the Brazilian film industry on the global stage.
Ranking second only to Marvel’s recent “Captain America” at the Brazilian box office, the film has garnered praise and accolades internationally. At home, it has prompted a much-needed reflection on the trauma and lasting impact of the military dictatorship that governed Brazil for over two decades.
In the film, Fernanda Torres portrays Eunice Paiva, the mother figure of an affluent Rio de Janeiro family torn apart by the dictatorship. Eunice’s husband, Rubens Paiva, a former leftist congressman, was detained by the military in 1971 and never returned. Based on a book by their son, Marcelo Rubens Paiva, the narrative follows Eunice’s relentless quest for justice, pushing the government to acknowledge her husband’s fate.
Renowned for her work in telenovelas since her teenage years, the 59-year-old Torres made history at Cannes by becoming the first Brazilian to win the best actress award for “Love Me Forever or Never” at the age of 19. Her illustrious career in theater and cinema, along with her roles in popular sitcoms like “Os Normais” and “Tapas e Beijos,” solidified her fame.
In her powerful portrayal in “I’m Still Here,” Torres has captivated audiences with her depth and nuanced performance, subtly conveying her character’s grief, torment, and hopelessness beneath the surface. The film’s triumph, combined with her Golden Globe victory, has led to a surge in viewership of her previous sitcoms on TV Globo’s streaming platform, with clips from these shows being repurposed into viral memes ahead of the Oscars.
The anticipation surrounding Torres’ Oscar prospects in Brazil is heightened by the presence of her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, a revered acting icon often likened to Brazil’s Meryl Streep. Montenegro, a 95-year-old veteran, appears as an elder version of Eunice Paiva in the film’s closing sequences, further enhancing the emotional resonance of Torres’ performance.
As Brazil hopes for recognition on the global stage through Torres’ potential Oscar win, the country’s yearning for international validation of its cultural significance comes to the fore. According to cultural writer Lacombe, this aspiration for acknowledgment echoes in various fields like soccer and Formula One, where Brazilian excellence has sought international acclaim.
Torres herself acknowledged this aspect of the Brazilian identity in a recent interview, emphasizing the nation’s desire to showcase its unique culture and talent to the world. As she navigates the awards season and the possibility of a historic win, Torres stands as a symbol of Brazil’s artistic excellence and enduring quest for recognition on the global stage.
“Clara Novais, a 33-year-old journalist and social media influencer known for her Carnival-related content, admires Fernanda Torres as a modern and daring figure. In anticipation of the upcoming traditional Carnival in Olinda, Brazil, Novais plans to attend wearing a costume inspired by an Oscar statuette to honor Torres’ accomplishments. Novais praises Torres for her ability to seamlessly blend culture, entertainment, politics, and history in a way that entertains and educates simultaneously. She views Torres as a shining example of how one can navigate these diverse realms with humor and insight, mirroring the essence of Carnival itself. The commentary of Novais highlights the multifaceted nature of both Torres and the Carnival celebration. Maycron Abade and Thiago Mostazo reported from Sao Paulo, Diarlei Rodrigues from Rio de Janeiro, and Fernando Crispim from Manaus, Brazil. For further coverage of the Oscars, please visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.”
