Fernanda Torres has captivated global audiences with her Oscar-nominated performance in I’m Still Here (2024), a harrowing true story set during Brazil’s military dictatorship.
I’m Still Here (“Ainda Estou Aqui”, in portuguese) is a film directed by Walter Salles, inspired by the true story of Eunice Paiva, the mother of writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva. After the disappearance of her husband, former congressman Rubens Paiva, during Brazil’s military dictatorship, Eunice embarks on a decades-long quest to uncover the truth behind his abduction and presumed death.
The narrative delves into her transformation from a dedicated lawyer to a political activist, highlighting her resilience in raising their five children amidst adversity. The screenplay, crafted by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, received the Best Screenplay award at the 81st Venice Film Festival. Fernanda Torres delivers a compelling performance as Eunice, with Fernanda Montenegro portraying the character in her later years.
Beyond “I’m Still Here”
But long before this awards-season darling, Torres—daughter of Brazilian screen legend Fernanda Montenegro—built a decades-long career marked by bold choices, genre diversity, and collaborations with visionary directors like Walter Salles. Here’s a curated guide to her essential works beyond her latest triumph.
1. Foreign Land (Terra Estrangeira, 1995)
Directed by Walter Salles, this noir-tinged crime drama marked Torres’s first collaboration with the I’m Still Here director. Set during Brazil’s tumultuous Collor era, it follows two strangers (Torres and Fernando Alves Pinto) entangled in a gem-smuggling scheme. The film’s exploration of displacement and economic despair resonates today, showcasing Torres’s ability to anchor gritty narratives with emotional nuance. Available on Netflix, it’s a must-watch for fans of political cinema.
2. Twins (Gêmeas, 1999)
In this psychological drama, Torres stars alongside her real-life mother, Fernanda Montenegro, playing twin sisters locked in a toxic rivalry. As Iara and Marilena, Torres deftly oscillates between charm and menace, embodying the duality of sibling love and jealousy. The film’s exploration of identity and familial bonds foreshadowed her later work in I’m Still Here, where resilience becomes a form of resistance
3. House of Sand (Casa de Areia, 2005)
A haunting survival epic set in Brazil’s desert, this Sundance-winning film stars Torres as Áurea, a woman stranded in a remote landscape with her mother and daughter. Spanning decades, the story examines intergenerational trauma and the fight for autonomy against unforgiving environments. Torres’s raw, minimalist performance earned acclaim, proving her mastery of roles demanding physical and emotional endurance.
4. Four Days in September (1997)
This political thriller, based on true events, follows leftist guerrillas who kidnap a U.S. ambassador in 1969. Torres plays Maria, a conflicted member of the revolutionary group, balancing idealism with moral ambiguity. The film’s tension-filled narrative and Torres’s layered portrayal highlight her affinity for stories interrogating power and justice—a theme she’d revisit in I’m Still Here.
5. Midnight (1998)
Reuniting with Salles, Torres stars in this existential drama set on New Year’s Eve 1999. As a disillusioned teacher who encounters a fugitive, she delivers a quietly powerful performance, capturing the zeitgeist of millennial anxiety. The film’s meditative pace and focus on fleeting human connections underscore Torres’s skill in understated storytelling.
6. Basic Sanitation (Saneamento Básico, 2007)
A sharp pivot to comedy, this satire follows a rural village’s absurd quest to build a septic tank. Torres shines as a pragmatic yet quirky community leader, proving her versatility in balancing humor with social commentary. The film’s irreverent take on bureaucracy and grassroots activism remains a cult favorite in Brazil.
7. Playing (Jogo de Cena, 2007)
In this groundbreaking documentary by Eduardo Coutinho, Torres reenacts real-life testimonies from women interviewed for the film. Blurring the lines between reality and performance, her work here is a masterclass in empathy, showcasing her ability to inhabit others’ stories with profound authenticity.