"Brazil can tell its own story with quality": Denise Del Vecchio reflects on the Oscars and the future of Brazilian cinema.

247 - Actress, playwright, and director Denise Del Vecchio participated in the program. good night 247In an interview, he discussed the historic victory of the Brazilian film "Ainda Estou Aqui" (I'm Still Here) at the Oscars for Best International Feature Film and reflected on Fernanda Torres' nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In an in-depth conversation, Del Vecchio celebrated the international recognition but highlighted the contradictions of the film industry, criticized ageism, and called for more incentives for cultural production in Brazil.

"It was an explosion of joy to see this national mobilization. The carnival parades, the rituals of good energy, all of this reflects our need to value ourselves," said Del Vecchio. However, the actress considered that this recognition came from abroad, and not from an internal strengthening of the Brazilian cultural industry. "Unfortunately, this appreciation came through foreign recognition, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that we showed that we have the technical and artistic capacity to tell our own story."

The actress also praised Fernanda Torres for her performance in the Oscar campaign, highlighting her demeanor during the awards ceremony. "Fernanda was absolutely brilliant. She didn't slip up at any point, always emphasizing Eunice Paiva's story and the importance of resistance and affection in the film," she stated.

Ageism at the Oscars and the standards of the film industry.

Denise Del Vecchio criticized the Hollywood Academy's selection criteria, questioning the decision that left Fernanda Torres and Demi Moore without the statuette, favoring the young actress Mikaela Madson. "I haven't seen her film, but awards are a delicate matter because they involve the subjectivity of those who vote and also the interests of the industry," she observed. "Mikaela is young, she should bring in a lot of money for American cinema. Awards ceremonies always have injustices."

She highlighted the structural problem of ageism in the film industry, which favors younger actresses while limiting opportunities for mature women. "Men can age and still receive relevant roles. Women can't. In Brazil, an actress my age only gets roles to play a dying old woman or a kind grandmother serving tea," she criticized. "In Europe, this is less pronounced. English cinema, for example, has older women acting naturally, without the pressure of surgery and cosmetic procedures. In the US and Brazil, it's different."

Data collected by Sky News indicates that, in almost a century of Oscar awards, only 30 women over 40 have won the Best Actress award, while 63 men over 40 have received the Best Actor award. For Del Vecchio, this reinforces how the entertainment industry continues to reproduce outdated standards of youth and beauty as determining criteria.

The impact of cinema and the lack of incentives.

The Brazilian film's Oscar win also raised questions about cultural policies in Brazil. Del Vecchio called for greater investment in the audiovisual sector and a broader debate about culture. "Cultural policy cannot be just about money. There needs to be a structured program for all of Brazil. I hope this moment of enthusiasm mobilizes us to demand more effective cultural policies."

She also criticized the lack of encouragement for historical memory and the disregard for topics related to the military dictatorship. "We produced very little about the dictatorship. We had a generation that addressed the topic, but today it's almost forgotten. The Argentinians explored this past much more than we did. Now, we see that there is an audience interested in learning about the history of resistance in Brazil."

Denise Del Vecchio also mentioned the controversy surrounding military personnel accused of crimes during the dictatorship who continue to receive state pensions. "This shames me. How come no one has taken action? This film must be a catalyst for demanding justice. We still don't know where Rubens Paiva's body is, and the torturers continue to be supported with public money."

The actress expressed hope regarding the upcoming Supreme Federal Court ruling, which could reopen cases against military personnel accused of enforced disappearances. "If the Supreme Court decides that crimes of disappearance are still ongoing, we could see a historical revision. It will be an essential step towards justice."

For Del Vecchio, the film's success should serve as an incentive for artists and cultural producers to pressure the government for more incentives and recognition. "Cinema can be a powerful tool for social transformation and the preservation of our history. I hope we are ready to seize this opportunity." Watch: