Brazil has picked Walter Salles‘ new feature, I’m Still Here to represent the country at next year’s Oscar race for Best International Feature, 26 years after Salles scooped an Oscar nom in the same category for his 1998 international breakthrough, Central Station.
I’m Still Here, which premiered at Venice last month and had its North American bow in Toronto, is Salles’ first Brazilian feature in 16 years and among his most personal works to date.
It is the story of the family of Rubens and Eunice Paiva and their experience under the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 through 1985. The Paivas were close family friends of Salles and he spent much of his youth in their home with the five Paiva siblings. Father Rubens Paiva was a Brazilian congressman who opposed the dictatorship. In 1971 he was arrested by the regime, tortured, and murdered. Left alone, Eunice is forced to reinvent herself and try and hold together her shattered family.
Adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 book Ainda Estou Aqui, the film stars Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello. Sony Pictures Classics has North American rights.
Brazil has been nominated 4 times for the Best International Feature Oscar but has yet to win.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the films on the 2025 Oscar shortlist on Dec. 17. Nominations will be announced on Jan. 17, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2.
