“The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão” is Shortlisted by Brazil for the Oscars

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Director Karim Aïnouz’s film ‘”The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmão” was chosen yesterday, August 27th, as Brazil’s representative in the Oscar race for best foreign film, besting eleven other films. The Brazilian Film Academy made the announcement. The film will compete for a position among the five Oscar nominees for best foreign film.

The film will premiere this Friday, August 30th, in Fortaleza, at the 29th Cine Ceará-Ibero American Film Festival. The film will inaugurate its general release in Brazilian cinemas on October 31st.

The film is based on the book “The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão”, by Martha Batalha, and tells the story of the Gusmão sisters, Eurídice and Guida. Eurídice is a talented and introverted young woman. Guida has the opposite temperament in relation to social interaction. Both live in a rigid patriarchal regime, which makes them tread different paths: Guida decides to run away from home with her boyfriend, while Eurídice struggles to become a musician while having to deal with the responsibilities of adulthood and a loveless marriage.

Fernanda Montenegro and Carol Duarte share the role of Eurídice, while Julia Stockler plays Guida.

The last time Brazil competed in this category was in 1999, with Central Station (“Central do Brasil”), by Walter Salles, a film that also included the participation of Fernanda Montenegro, nominated for the Oscar of best actress that year.

“The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão” was selected by a commission formed by the Brazilian Film Academy, made up of filmmakers Anna Muylaert and Zelito Viana; the creator of the festival “É Tudo Verdade”, Amir Labaki; and the programming director of the “Festival do Rio”, Ilda Santiago; among others.

The announcement of the foreign film finalists for the Oscars will take place on January 13th. The Oscar ceremony is scheduled for February 9th.