The 2025 Oscars, the film industry's biggest night, is poised to captivate audiences around the world on March 2. This year's ceremony, marking its 97th edition, promises to be special, particularly for Brazilian cinema, as the film Ainda Estou Aqui, directed by Walter Salles, has garnered three notable nominations: Best Picture, Best International Film, and Best Actress for Fernanda Torres.
For those eager to celebrate this cinematic spectacle together, several viewing events are planned across Brazil. One such event will be hosted at the Cinex, located within the Centro Cultural Oscar Niemeyer in Goiânia, providing fans with an opportunity to cheer on their favorites from 9 PM onwards. This screening forms part of the film showcase O Amor, A Morte e as Paixões. Attendees can look forward to live entertainment, with the band Beatles 4Ever performing popular hits from the iconic Liverpool quartet until the Oscar ceremony commences. The event, which promises to be vibrant and engaging, is free to the public and is supported by several entities, including the Government of Goiás and the Association of Critics of Cinema from Rio Grande do Norte - ACCiRN.
ACCIRN is similarly hosting its own event at Cervejaria Resistência, located at Ponta Negra, starting at 8 PM. This celebration will feature discussions about the nominated films, alongside entertainment such as betting pools and costume contests, inviting attendees to express their creativity through themed outfits. The evening culminates with the live broadcast of the Oscars from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, presented by comedian Conan O'Brien, who is making his debut as host.
The enthusiasm surrounding this year’s Oscars is particularly pronounced as March 2 coincides with Brazil's Carnaval celebrations. The unique intertwining of film celebration and national festivity creates what is sure to be an unforgettable evening for participants. With many hoping for Brazilian victors, the excitement is palpable.
Highlighted among the nominees, Adrien Brody returns to the Oscars spotlight for his role in O Brutalista. Having made history as the youngest actor to win the Oscar two decades ago, Brody's talent is once again on display as he competes for Best Actor alongside Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan. Other actors like Cynthia Erivo and Felicity Jones are also recognized for their impressive works, indicating strong competition across categories.
Looking beyond the nominees, discussions surrounding the impact of technology on cinema have intensified, particularly concerning the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) within this year's films. Reports have emerged about several contenders employing AI technologies for various aspects of filmmaking. For example, O Brutalista utilized the Respeecher technology, enhancing dialogue with artificial voices to improve the film's authenticity.
David Jancso, the film’s editor, defended the use of this technology, emphasizing its role not to replace but to support the actors’ performances. Meanwhile, conflicting opinions have sparked debates over the acceptability of AI contributions within creative processes, leading to calls for clearer guidelines from the Academy.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering developing stricter rules to govern the use of AI in film production, which reflect growing concerns among professionals about technology’s role within Hollywood. While many embrace innovation, others push back, wanting to preserve the integrity and authenticity of performances.
This year’s Oscars are set to provide not only recognition of groundbreaking films and performances but also to spotlight significant conversations within the industry. With live events happening across Brazil, viewers can witness history as it is made on screen, celebrating artistry, creativity, and the unifying power of cinema.
Throughout all the anticipation and excitement, the Oscars remain at the heart of the film community, where stories come alive, dreams are realized, and the future of cinema is continually shaped.