TheOscarsnominations are in, andI’m Still Hereis one of the biggest surprises in the Best Picture category. WhileI’m Still Herewas expected to be nominated for Best International Feature Film, the Best Picture nomination took many by surprise. This is the first time a Brazilian movie has been nominated forBest Picture at the Oscars, withI’m Still Herealso getting Best International Feature Film and Best Actress In A Leading Role noms.
As always, theOscars 2025 nominationscame with both major snubs and fascinating surprises. BetweenChallengersnot getting a single nomination – not even for Original Score – and Pamela Anderson not getting a Best Actress nom, a lot of predictions were proven wrong. However,one of the most interesting surprises wasI’m Still Heregetting a Best Picture nominationin a historical moment for Brazilian cinema that speaks to a wider Oscars trend of recognizing non-English language movies beyond the International Feature Film award.
What Is I’m Still Here About?
I’m Still Here Is Based On A True Story
Set in 1970 during the military dictatorship that rose to power in Brazil after a coupe coup d’état in 1964,I’m Still Hereis based on the true story of Eunice Paiva, an activist whose husband is taken by the military and “disappears.”I’m Still Herefollows Eunice as she tries to learn the truth about what happened to her husband, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman who had already lived six years in exile for opposing the military government. After being arrested and tortured herself, Eunice eventually learns from non-official sources that her husband was killed.
The military dictatorship in Brazil lasted until 1985.
What follows is a gut-wrenching story about Eunice having to move on with her life without ever receiving official confirmation of what happened to her husband, which is something countless people had to face during the military dictatorship in Brazil.I’m Still Heresees Eunice in different stages of her life, including at an old age and dealing with Alzheimer’s, with Torres’ performance capturing all the angsty and pain caused by the lack of answers. The truth about what happened to Rubens Paiva was only disclosed in 1995, 25 years after he was taken.
How I’m Still Here Received A Best Picture Nomination
Fernanda Torres’ Performance Put The Movie On The Map
I’m Still Here’s awards run began at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024, where the movie had its world premiere. Directed by Walter Salles, who directed the Golden Globes-winning filmCentral Stationin 1998,I’m Still Hereappeared as a possible Oscars contender primarily due to Fernanda Torres’ performance.With no Brazilian movie having ever won Best International Film and only four ever getting nominated,I’m Still Here’s chances at the Oscars didn’t seem too big at first. However, as Torres’ performance started to gain worldwide attention, the film as a whole gained more recognition.
While the Brazilian-American filmKiss of the Spider Womanwas nominated for Best Picture in 1986,I’m Still Hereis the first fully Brazilian production to get nominated for Best Picture.
One of the biggest stories of this year’s awards run has been howFernanda Torres’ mother, Brazilian legend Fernanda Montenegro, was so far the only Brazilian actor to have even been nominated for an Oscar.In 1999, Fernanda Montenegro was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Central Station but lost toGwyneth Paltrow inShakespeare in Love. Torres now joins her mother as the only two Brazilian actors to have ever been nominated at the Oscars. Interestingly, Fernanda Montenegro is also inI’m Still Hereas the older version of Torres’ character, Eunice Paiva.
Fernanda Torres’ Golden Globes win brought even more attention toI’m Still Here.
Given howFernanda Montenegro’s loss at the 1999 Oscars is considered by many an upset, the idea that her daughter, Fernanda Torres, could get a nomination and perhaps even a historical win for her performance inI’m Still Herebecame one of the most interesting prospects of this year’s awards run. Fernanda Torres’ Golden Globes win brought even more attention toI’m Still Here, with Sony and StudioCanal then intensifying the campaign for the film with more screenings and interviews.
Why Challengers Didn’t Get Any Oscar Nominations Despite The Hype
The buzzy Luca Guadagnino movie Challengers was completely shut out at the Oscars, and there are many factors that may have led to it being snubbed.
I’m Still Here’s Best Pictures nomination is also part of a larger Academy trend of recognizing international movies in multiple categories instead of just Best International Feature Film.Parasite’s historical win at the 2020 Oscars arguably changed the game for foreign pictures in American awards, as seen withDrive My Car,Anatomy of a Fall,Emilia Pérez, andI’m Still Hereall getting Best Pictures nominations since.
Will I’m Still Here Win Best Picture?
I’m Still Here’s Chances Explained
WhileI’m Still Herehas made history with its three nominations, one of which had never happened for a Brazilian film, its chances of winning Best Picture are slim. With just three nominations, plus the fact that is Best Picture nom is considered a huge surprise, there are not many reasons to believe thatI’m Still Herecould win the biggest award of the night. With 13 nominations,Emilia Pérezhas come up as a surprising favoritenot only for Best International Film but also for Best Picture.
The Substance
Wicked
With 10 nominations each,The BrutalistandWickedare also placing themselves as Best Picture favorites, with the former arguably being the frontrunner. That said, Fernanda Torres has a significant chance of winning Best Actress given how much her performance has been praised, with another clear frontrunner being Demi Moore. Both Torres and Moore won the Golden Globes for their respective categories and are now in a good position at the Oscars. The fact thatThe Substancealso got a Best Picturenom makes the Best Actress category even more difficult to predict.
I’m Still Here’s Release Date: Is It In Theaters Or On Streaming?
I’m Still Here Has Yet To Have A Wide Theatrical Release In The US
After premiering in Brazil and receiving a limited run in its home country in September 2024,I’m Still Herehad a limited qualifying run in the United States in November. The movie also received a nationwide release in Brazil around the same time but would only return to theaters in the US in January 2025 for a few more screeners.On February 14,I’m Still Herewill receive a wide theatrical release in the US, two weeks before the Oscars.
I’m Still Here’s streaming home has yet to be revealed, and it is unclear when the movie will be available on a streaming platform. It also remains to be seen whenI’m Still Herewill get digital and physical releases, although it may take a while considering its wide theatrical release in the United States won’t happen until February. Still, theOscarsnominations are sure to bring even more attention toI’m Still Herebeyond Fernanda Torres’ performance, which might accelerate its digital and physical distribution as well as the plans for its streaming release.
I’m Still Here
Cast
I’m Still Here is set during the early 1970s military dictatorship in Brazil, focusing on the Paiva family. As the regime intensifies, Rubens, Eunice, and their five children live in an open house by the beach in Rio. Their lives are upended when Rubens is taken for questioning and does not return.
