As Rio de Janeiro kicks off its iconic Carnival parades in the Sambódromo this Sunday, the attention of Brazilians is divided between the vibrant festivities and the OSCAR ceremony, which could make history by awarding the country its first-ever statuette. The city’s samba schools are ready to dazzle with their magical performances, but the possibility of Brazil taking home an award with “Aún estoy aquí” (Still Here) has infused the Carnival spirit with an air of celebration.
Directed by Walter Salles, the film tells the story of the disappearance of former congressman Rubens Paiva in 1971 and the resistance of his widow, Eunice, during Brazil’s last dictatorship (1964-1985). The movie is nominated for Best Picture, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Actress for its star, Fernanda Torres, who has already won a Golden Globe for her role. The nominations are on everyone’s lips, with billboards and posters supporting Torres and partygoers dressing up as her in the “blocos,” massive Carnival parades, some of which are entirely dedicated to the actress.
In the midst of the bustling crowds, many are waving golden plastic statuettes, one of the most popular accessories being sold by street vendors, along with tutus, bunny ears, and glitter. This phenomenon is not limited to Rio, as other cities like Recife, Belo Horizonte, and Sao Paulo are also catching the OSCAR fever. In the popular Olinda Carnival in the northeast, a giant doll of Torres was parading through the streets, holding an OSCAR. “There couldn’t be a better day than a Carnival Sunday to win an OSCAR,” said Rebecca Maria Darakjian Batoni, a 25-year-old lawyer participating in a “bloco” in Olinda.
Fellow partygoer Cristina Leite de Moraes, a 25-year-old doctor, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Fernanda is an example, an idol for Brazil, and today we’re all going to stop and watch her win.” Social media is filled with funny videos of groups simulating the announcement of her win. The 59-year-old actress expressed her pride, feeling “very proud” that the streets are filled with Fernandas.
Meanwhile, at the Sambódromo, the top twelve samba schools will compete from Sunday to Tuesday in a new three-day format, replacing the traditional two-day event. This change will give each group a bit more time, up to 80 minutes, to showcase their thousands of dancers and musicians as they make their way down the iconic catwalk in front of 70,000 attendees and millions of viewers worldwide. This year, most of the “escolas” will be honoring figures and myths from Afro-Brazilian religiosity, which is deeply rooted in the origins of samba.
The Liga Independente de Escuelas de Samba de Rio de Janeiro, which organizes the most famous spectacle in Brazil, announced that the announcements from Los Angeles in the categories where “Aún estoy aquí” is competing will be broadcast live in the Sambódromo. The excitement over a potential OSCAR win, comparable to the fervor of a World Cup, is amplifying a celebration that is expected to inject nearly $1 billion into the local economy, according to authorities.
As the Carnival festivities and OSCAR ceremony converge, Brazilians are eagerly anticipating a double celebration, with the possibility of a historic win for “Aún estoy aquí” adding an extra layer of excitement to the already-electric atmosphere of the Carnival parades. With the nation holding its breath, one thing is certain – this Sunday will be a day to remember in Rio de Janeiro.
