Brazil’s New Oscar Contenders: A Rich History of Latin American Cinema
Brazil’s films are again in the spotlight as the country announces its finalists for the 2025 Academy Awards. With a deep history of Latin American cinema at the Oscars, this year’s contenders aim to build on a legacy of global recognition.
A Diverse Selection
As the 2025 Academy Awards race heats up, Brazil has announced six finalists vying for the coveted spot as the country’s representative in the Best International Feature Film category. Among the favorites are Walter Salles’ Ainda Estou Aqui, which won the best screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, and Karim Aïnouz’s Motel Destino, which was selected to compete at Cannes earlier this year.
The Brazilian Academy of Cinema revealed these six films on Monday, showcasing many themes and directorial styles. Alongside Ainda Estou Aqui and Motel Destino, the other four films include Juliana Rojas’ Cidade; Campo, Lillah Halla’s Levante, Haroldo Borges’ Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro, and Nara Normande and Tião’s Sem Coração.
Walter Salles’ Ainda Estou Aqui stands out not only for its critical acclaim but also for its subject matter, which delves into the turbulent years of Brazil’s dictatorship (1964-1985) and the struggles faced by families during this dark period of the nation’s history. The film was lauded in Venice, with particular praise for actress Fernanda Torres, whose performance is touted as Oscar-worthy.
Ainda Estou Aqui marks the latest in a series of successful films by Salles, whose 1999 film, Central do Brasil (Central Station), was the last Brazilian movie to make it to the Oscar finals in the Best International Feature Film category. That year, Fernanda Montenegro, mother of Fernanda Torres, was also nominated for Best Actress, cementing the family’s place in the annals of Brazilian cinema.
Karim Aïnouz’s Motel Destino is another strong contender. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, marking the second consecutive year that Aïnouz’s work was included in the prestigious competition. His reputation as a master storyteller with a keen eye for human emotion continues to grow globally.
The Brazilian Academy will announce its final Oscar selection on September 23, following a vote by a jury of 25 members led by actress and director Bárbara Paz. With such a strong lineup, the competition is fierce, and whichever film is chosen will have the weight of Brazil’s cinematic legacy behind it as it vies for a nomination at the Oscars.
Latin American Films at the Oscars
Latin American cinema has a long and storied history at the Oscars. Over the decades, films from Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil have been celebrated for their unique storytelling, rich cultural insights, and bold visual styles. This journey, however, has not always been smooth, with many films struggling to break through Hollywood’s often Western-centric lens.
Brazil has been a critical player in this history, with its films frequently attracting attention on the global stage. Walter Salles’ Central do Brasil was a landmark moment for Brazilian cinema, earning international acclaim and securing a Best International Feature Film nomination in 1999. That same year, Fernanda Montenegro was nominated for Best Actress, the first time a Latin American actress had been recognized. This milestone signaled that Latin American cinema had arrived on the global stage.
Other notable entries from the region include Mexico’s Roma (2018), directed by Alfonso Cuarón, which won Best International Feature Film and was nominated for Best Picture, marking a new high point for Latin American representation at the Academy Awards. Argentina’s El Secreto de Sus Ojos (2009), directed by Juan José Campanella, also claimed the Best International Feature Film Oscar, further demonstrating the region’s storytelling prowess.
In Chile, the film Una Mujer Fantástica (A Fantastic Woman), directed by Sebastián Lelio, won the Best International Feature Film award in 2018, bringing attention to Chile’s rising film industry and its capacity to tell emotionally complex stories that resonate globally.
Though Latin American cinema has often been overlooked at the Oscars, these successes show that the region’s filmmakers are increasingly breaking through, telling stories that captivate international audiences and earn the recognition they deserve. With its rich cinematic heritage and growing presence in international film festivals, Brazil is once again poised to make its mark.
Walter Salles and the Return of Brazilian Cinema’s International Appeal
Walter Salles is no stranger to the international film scene. His 2004 film Diarios de Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries), a biopic about the young Che Guevara’s travels through South America, brought Salles critical acclaim and won him a BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language. With Ainda Estou Aqui, Salles returns to his Brazilian roots, exploring the impact of the country’s dictatorship and how it affected ordinary families.
Salles’ films often focus on physical and emotional journeys, and Ainda Estou Aqui continues this tradition. The film’s exploration of family life during Brazil’s darkest years resonates with viewers, particularly in a global context where stories of resilience and survival are more relevant than ever. His work also represents the best of Brazilian cinema: visually stunning, emotionally rich, and steeped in the country’s complex history.
Brazilian cinema has always had a unique flavor, blending the country’s vibrant culture with its social and political justice struggles. From Glauber Rocha’s 1964 classic Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol (Black God, White Devil) to Fernando Meirelles’ Cidade de Deus (City of God) in 2002, Brazil’s filmmakers have consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling, challenging audiences with their powerful narratives.
Salles’ return to the Oscars race with Ainda Estou Aqui is significant not only for Brazil but for Latin American cinema as a whole. His work symbolizes the region’s continuing relevance in the global film industry, and his potential nomination for 2025 could inspire a new generation of filmmakers from Latin America to pursue their visions on the world stage.
Challenges for Latin American Films on the Global Stage
While Latin American films have made significant strides at the Oscars, filmmakers still face considerable challenges in gaining recognition. The global film industry, dominated by Hollywood, often marginalizes non-English-language films, making it difficult for movies from Latin America to break through.
One of the primary challenges is funding. Many Latin American countries lack the financial resources to produce films on the same scale as Hollywood. Directors often rely on international co-productions and festival circuits to get their films noticed. While this can lead to exposure at significant events like Cannes or Venice, it also means that films from Latin America have to work twice as hard to reach wider audiences.
Another challenge is distribution. Even when Latin American films are critically acclaimed, they often struggle to secure widespread distribution, particularly in the United States. This limits their ability to compete for prestigious awards like the Oscars, where visibility is critical to securing nominations. Films like Amores Perros (Mexico), Relatos Salvajes (Argentina), and Tropa de Elite (Brazil) achieved global recognition, but many other equally deserving films never make it beyond regional markets.
However, there are also significant opportunities. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have opened new avenues for Latin American filmmakers, allowing them to reach global audiences more efficiently. Films like Roma and A Fantastic Woman gained international acclaim through these platforms, demonstrating that the future of Latin American cinema may lie in the digital realm.
As the film industry continues to evolve, Latin American filmmakers are finding new ways to tell their stories and gain recognition. With more regional films gaining attention at significant festivals and award shows, the future looks promising for Latin American cinema.
Brazil’s 2025 Oscar contenders offer a snapshot of the country’s vibrant film industry, with directors like Walter Salles and Karim Aïnouz leading the charge. As Latin American films continue to make their mark on the global stage, the history of the region’s cinema at the Oscars is rich with innovation, creativity, and powerful storytelling.
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While challenges remain for Latin American filmmakers, the growing recognition of their work signals a new era for the region’s cinematic output. With strong contenders like Ainda Estou Aqui and Motel Destino, Brazil is once again poised to make its mark on the world’s biggest stage.
