Brazil goes to the Oscars

I am patriotic in my way, yes. I root passionately for my country. It doesn’t matter if it’s Brazil or Canada. I cheer whenever there’s an international sport event, like the World Cup or the Olympics. When it comes to movies, Brazil goes to the Oscars only a few times. When it happens, like it has this year, I feel incredibly proud. I watched I’m Still Here a couple of weeks ago and I loved it! There are several reasons why this movie has united Brazilians in a new wave of patriotism.

What a dream team!

Fernanda Torres is spectacular interpreting Eunice Paiva, the protagonist of the movie. She is accompanied by Selton Mello portraying Rubens Paiva, her husband. Walter Salles directed them both. Together they have accomplished something extraordinary, even unthinkable, for the Brazilian cinema. The movie has received three nominations in important categories to the Oscars:

• Actress in a Leading Role for Fernanda Torres
• International Feature Film
• Best Picture

The nominations alone are a source of pride for us Brazilians. But the real chance that we can win in any of the categories are making us dream big. But not only that. Fernanda has already won the best actress Golden Globe this year. From any angle you look at this, we are winners already!

A look on Brazilian military dictatorship

The military dictatorship in Brazil lasted from 1964 to 1985. During that period thousands of people were tortured and hundreds were killed. Rubens Paiva, who was a congressman at the time and was impeached, was killed by the dictatorial regime. I was born and grew up during that dark period of our history. This movie speaks to me personally, as it does for many other Brazilians.

As Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles have mentioned in their interviews, it’s also a story about a family. How they went through that crisis together, how they stayed united and how Eunice Paiva specially reinvented herself. She became a lawyer in her 50s and fought for the rights of indigenous peoples. She was really an unsung heroine until her son wrote a book about it and the film was made.

I may be biased to say, but If you haven’t watched it yet, don’t wait another day. It is a strong contender for any of the categories it has been nominated. Besides, it is not every year that Brazil goes to the Oscars. Even if it doesn’t win anything, it’s a great movie in its own right. It’s totally worth your time.