Fernanda Torres made history at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards by winning Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in I’m Still Here. At 59, Torres was up against some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton, and Kate Winslet, but her performance as Eunice Paiva in the political drama triumphed.
Torres, who appeared visibly surprised as her name was announced, humbly accepted the award, admitting she had not prepared a speech due to running late. She expressed her admiration for the other nominees and noted that it was an “amazing year for female performances.” Her victory holds special significance, as she becomes the first Brazilian actress to win this prestigious award in this category.
What made her win even more poignant was the fact that her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, was nominated for the same award in 1999 for her performance in Central Station. Montenegro, now 95, appears in I’m Still Here as the older version of Torres’s character, Eunice. Torres reflected on her mother’s 1999 nomination and how it felt like a full-circle moment for their family, stating, “She was here 25 years ago, and this is proof that art can endure through life, even in difficult moments.”
I’m Still Here has been widely acclaimed, premiering at the Venice Film Festival and receiving top honors, including a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes. The film tells the story of Eunice Paiva, a mother grieving the forced disappearance of her husband during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Torres’s moving performance, along with the film’s timely themes, resonated deeply with audiences.
Torres’s victory is a testament not only to her talent but also to the enduring legacy of Brazilian cinema, and it highlights the power of art to reflect on both the past and the present.
