To celebrate Brazilian cinema and talent, the Brazilian student organization (BRASA) hosted an Oscars watch party to commemorate the Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, who received an historic nomination for the best actress Academy Award. The event, held on March 2, brought together Brazilian students and film enthusiasts alike.
The room was adorned with golden stars and a red carpet, mimicking the glamor of the Oscars. Guests were treated to a variety of Brazilian delicacies and drinks, and Oscar-themed statues were given to attendees to commemorate the night. The event was not only about watching the Oscars but also about coming together as a community to honor Brazilian culture and film.
Beatriz De Vasconcellos Dias `27, one of the event’s organizers, said that the idea for the watch party was born when they learned that the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here” had received a nomination for the best picture Oscar, along with Torres’ nomination for best actress.
“We were already planning to watch the Oscars together, but we decided to make it a public event to show how proud we were of Fernanda and to share this moment with others,” she said.
Although Torres did not end up winning the Oscar for best actress, “I’m Still Here” won best international feature film.
Dias noted that Torres’ nomination is significant for Brazilian cinema. She is only the second Brazilian actress to be nominated for an Academy Award, following in the footsteps of her mother, actress Fernanda Montenegro, who was nominated in the 1990s.
Despite Montenegro’s loss, her nomination alone was seen as a win for Brazil, as it highlighted Brazilian talent and storytelling. Dias said that Torres’ nomination was similarly influential.
“I think that just being nominated is already a victory for us. Not many Latin American countries get this recognition, and to see someone like Fernanda, a well-known actress in Brazil, being honored for her performance in a film about our military dictatorship during the Cold War was incredibly meaningful,” she said.
This nomination also signifies a breakthrough for Brazilian cinema on the global stage. Although a Brazilian film previously won the best foreign language film Oscar in 1959, it was a French-Italian-Brazilian co-production, not an entirely Brazilian-made project. The win for “I’m Still Here” and Torres’ nomination marks the first time a film exclusively made in Brazil and featuring Brazilian talent has achieved such recognition, making it a pivotal moment for the future of Brazilian films in international cinema.
For many Brazilian students attending the event, the watch party was not just about celebrating Torres’ achievement but also about solidarity.
“Watching her on stage felt like watching one of us. It was as if her success was our success,” Dias said as she recalled the shared excitement of seeing Fernanda’s name called out among the other nominees. “We were all so nervous, trying not to get too excited, but when they said her name, it was pure joy.”
The event also featured a variety of traditional Brazilian foods catered by Savor Brazil in Iowa City, such as coxinha (chicken croquettes), esfiha (meat pastries) and Brazilian carrot cake — dishes commonly served at birthdays and celebrations in Brazil. The group’s sense of pride and hope for the future of Brazilian cinema was palpable.
“This movie was so important for us because it talked about the dictatorship in Brazil,” Dias concluded. “It’s not just about recognition from the United States. It’s a very meaningful story to everyone because it’s important to remember this history so it doesn’t repeat.”
