Brazilian actress Teca Pereira said the country's film industry is undergoing a major creative expansion as her acclaimed drama Feito Pipa pursues Oscar recognition.
The 74-year-old performer spoke in an interview with CNN Brasil about the growing international visibility of domestic productions, praising filmmakers and producers for driving an era of higher artistic quality.
Pereira said national cinema had entered a giant and growing phase that answered an earlier need for stronger productions, adding that she hoped the work of Brazilian directors and crew members would be widely valued.
International awards and Oscar campaign
Pereira plays the leading role in Feito Pipa, a feature film directed by Allan Deberton that has been selected to compete for a nomination spot at the 2027 Academy Awards.
The drama has accumulated more than ten international honors during its festival run. Its accolades include the Crystal Bear and the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, fueling expectations around its upcoming Oscar bid.
The Berlin International Film Festival, held annually in the German capital since 1951, is one of the world's leading film competitions alongside Cannes and Venice. Its Crystal Bear awards are presented by youth juries to films that explore the lives and challenges of younger generations.
Every year, countries across the world submit one feature film to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the United States to compete for the Best International Feature Film category. A shortlist is selected before final nominees are announced ahead of the annual Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles.
Story of family and Alzheimer's disease
In Feito Pipa, Pereira plays the grandmother of Gugu, portrayed by Yuri Gomes. The young boy finds affection and freedom in his relationship with her while dealing with family conflict and questions surrounding his own identity.
The plot also focuses directly on Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects Pereira's character as the family navigates her changing health.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. The illness causes brain cells to degenerate, leading to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks, which often places intense caregiving responsibilities on families.
Pereira revealed that working on the project prompted personal reflections about aging and the chronic health conditions that can develop later in life. Although she is not yet a grandmother herself, the actress confessed that the subject matter was deeply important to her and admitted to feeling a degree of fear because of her age.
Intergenerational care and cinema release
Pereira highlighted the way the production depicts care between different generations as one of its most vital achievements. She expressed hope that the film would encourage audiences to treat relatives living with illness with greater sensitivity, warmth, and patience, adding that love remains love.
Pereira has built a career spanning several decades across the Brazilian performing arts, working extensively in television, theater, and cinema. Her role in Feito Pipa places her at the heart of an intergenerational narrative exploring vulnerability, resilience, and compassion.
Feito Pipa held its premiere at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival on Wednesday, October 21. Founded in 1977, the São Paulo festival is Latin America's largest international film gathering, bringing hundreds of domestic and foreign titles to screens across Brazil's financial center each October.
Following its festival screening in São Paulo, the award-winning feature film is scheduled to arrive in commercial cinemas across Brazil on November 5.
