Fernanda Torres won her first Golden Globe at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, held on January 5, 2025, for her role as Eunice Paiva in the political drama I’m Still Here. The Brazilian actress triumphed in the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama category, competing against heavyweights like Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton, and Kate Winslet.
A Powerful Moment for Brazilian Cinema- Fernanda Torres
At 59, Fernanda Torres, who was not widely expected to win against such A-list competition, seemed visibly moved by her win and kept her acceptance speech brief. Her performance in I’m Still Here, which depicts a mother grieving her husband’s forced disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship, resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike.
What made Fernanda Torres’ win particularly special was that it marked a historic moment: she became the first Brazilian actress to win the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Furthermore, her win held sentimental significance, as her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, was nominated for the same award 25 years ago for her role in Central Station. Montenegro also stars in I’m Still Here, portraying an older version of Torres’ character.
Torres honored her mother’s legacy in her speech, saying, “She was here 25 years ago, and this is proof that art can endure through life, even in difficult moments like this.”
I’m Still Here and Its Relevance Today
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, has garnered international acclaim, winning Best Screenplay at Venice and being selected as Brazil’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film. Directed by Walter Salles, the film’s themes of resistance and survival in times of political turmoil have a haunting relevance today, especially after the January 6 U.S. insurrection and the 2023 riots in Brazil.
Salles reflected on the film’s unexpected resonance, explaining, “We started this project thinking that we were retelling a story from the past, but we came to realize that it was also a reflection on our present.”
Torres’ win at the Golden Globes adds a significant chapter to the rich legacy of Brazilian cinema and shines a spotlight on the film’s timely message.
