Fernanda Torres has won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama, for her powerful performance in I’m Still Here. The film tells the story of Eunice Paiva, a grieving mother who faces the disappearance of her husband, former politician Rubens Paiva, during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1960s.
Torres’ win marks a historic moment, as she becomes the first Brazilian actress to receive the prestigious award. Her emotional acceptance speech highlighted her admiration for her fellow nominees, including Angelina Jolie (Maria), Nicole Kidman (Babygirl), Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door), Kate Winslet (Lee), and Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl). “This is such an amazing year for female performances. There are so many actresses here who I admire so much,” Torres said, visibly moved.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Torres carries on the legacy of her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was previously nominated in the same category in 1999 for her role in Central Station. Montenegro, now 95, appears in I’m Still Here as the older version of Eunice. “She was here 25 years ago, and this is proof that art can endure through life, even in difficult moments like this,” Torres said during her speech.
Directed by Walter Salles, I’m Still Here has garnered widespread acclaim. After premiering at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Best Screenplay award, the film was named one of the top five international films by the National Board of Review. It has also been selected as Brazil’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Reflecting on the film’s themes, Salles described it as a story that transcends history. “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,” he said. “Cinema can be a powerful instrument to push against those forces — to help us avoid oblivion. A country without memory is a country without a future.”
Torres’ award solidifies her position as a leading figure in international cinema, while honoring the legacy of Brazilian storytelling on the global stage.
