I first heard of I’m Still Here when it premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival. I was surprised, having no idea a Brazilian movie was among the lineup of competing films. My surprise turned to immense pride, seeing a film from my country receive a 10-minute standing ovation and Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega win best screenplay for the film. The funny thing about Brazilians is we often don’t pay attention to the richness of our own culture until recognition comes from outside. Directed by the Brazilian phenom Walter Salles, I’m Still Here is awaiting a big night at the 97th  Academy Awards; it’s received nominations for Best Actress, Best International Feature Film, and Best Picture — making history as the first Brazilian-produced film to be included in that category. 

I’m Still Here is based on a book of the same name written by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, and it tells the story of Paiva’s family during the military dictatorship in Brazil from 1964 to 1985. In the ‘70s, Paiva’s father — a former congressman living an upper-middle-class life with his family after returning from a six-year political exile — disappeared after being taken by the army for interrogation. Paiva’s mother, Eunice, played by Fernanda Torres, is forced to navigate raising Pavia and his siblings on her own, while she simultaneously seeks the truth behind her husband’s disappearance. 

Since premiering in Venice, Torres, her co-star Selton Mello — who plays Paiva’ father — and Walter Salles have embarked on an extensive campaign to promote the movie worldwide. They have made a name for themselves at numerous festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival — they knew they had made something special, now it needed to be seen. This campaign seems to be paying off, as Fernanda won Best Actress in Drama at this year’s Golden Globes — whose voting body is made up of experienced entertainment journalists representing 85 countries. Such victory only strengthened the campaign, landing Torres a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last month on January 9.

When it comes to the Academy Awards, there’s also an opportunity for vengeance. 25 years ago, a Brazilian actress was nominated for an Oscar for the first, and up until this year, the only time. Her name was Fernanda Montenegro, and she is the mother of current nominee Fernanda Torres. The coincidence goes further — Montenegro was nominated for Central Station, also directed by Walter Salles. Back in 1999, Montenegro lost to Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love, which was considered a controversial decision, and is marked in the memory of Brazil. Now, Torres is back to claim her title, for her mother and for her country — and Salles too.

Torres delivers a subtle but powerful performance. Never loud but packed with emotion. She leaves the audience to feel her pain and admire her strength — her eyes being her most expressive instrument. With the recent unraveling of Karla Sofia Gascon’s campaign, Wicked: For Good providing a probable second chance for Cynthia Erivo to take the Oscar’s stage, and Mikey Madison not scoring many wins so far, despite several nominations — the biggest competition for Torres is Demi Moore — nominated for her role in The Substance. 

I watched the movie at the AMC theater in Lincoln Square, one of my favorite theaters in New York. It was a special and emotional experience to watch a film in my first language in a crowded room of people who had to read subtitles, yet they left the theater just as impacted as I was. 

Although it’s awards season, and I’m rooting for I’m Still Here to take everything, the purpose of films like this one reach beyond what any golden statue could encapsulate. This story honors the tragic story of a family living in the midst of an authoritarian government, while reminding its audience of a not-so-distant past that is eagerly encroaching on our modern world. With the global attention I’m Still Here is receiving for its nominations, the film’s critical message gets to share the spotlight. Maybe that’s the real victory.