On Sunday, January 5, 2025, history was made as the Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres won the Golden Globe for best Actress in a Drama Film for her role in Ainda Estou Aqui (I’m Still Here), a Globoplay production directed by Walter Salles. Her triumph represents more than just a personal achievement, but it really resonates deeply with Brazillians, highlighting that talent and passion that make us so proud of our nationality and the cultural icons that represent us internationally.
Her film Ainda Estou Aqui (I’m Still Here) is based on a real-life Rio de Janeiro woman who fought for justice after Brazil’s military dictatorship abducted her congressman husband. The film has received widespread critical acclaim, both nationally and internationally, with the premiere at the Venice Film Festival already bringing home trophies. Not only that, the movie has already grossed R$60 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2024.
What makes this victory even more satisfying is the fact that Torres comes 25 years after her mother, the legendary Fernanda Montenegro, was nominated for an Oscar, also directed by Walter Salles. Torres dedicated her award to her mother, saying “I want to dedicate this award to my mother. You have no idea… She was here 25 years ago. This is proof that art stays with people, even in difficult moments, like the ones Eunice Paiva lived.”
Torres has been “that girl” for a very long time now, as she has been working so hard in so many of her other works. Tapas e Beijos, for example, is a popular and very entertaining TV show that certainly marked the lives of many Brazillians, and that her acting skills can be seen and remembered by so many people. This is just one of the many examples in which it can be seen how Torres’ charisma and sense of humor capture the hearts of viewers, both in Brazil and now around the Globe!
This whole week, that’s the major topic that comes up in Brazililians’ conversations. Across the country, there are videos on the internet that show a crowd of people watching the Golden Globes, celebrating and even crying as it was such a special moment for us, and her journey is being celebrated even more than it already was. Once again, I’m very proud to say that I am a Brazilian, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Torres and the legacy that she is making! Her win was a statement and assurance that it does not matter who you are and where you come from, if you have a dream and you work hard for it, it pays off.
