"Vicentina Pede Desculpas," a drama directed by Gabriel Martins, had its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Saturday, September 12. The film is among the titles pre-selected to represent Brazil at the 2027 Academy Awards.
Starring Rejane Faria in the lead role, the film was warmly received by the Toronto audience, in a screening also marked by visible emotion among the cast and crew. Alongside Martins, the film's producing partners at Filmes de Plástico, Thiago Macêdo Correia, André Novais Oliveira and Maurílio Martins, also attended.
After the screening, Faria and Martins took part in a Q&A with the audience, discussing the making of the film, the experience of presenting it at a festival for the first time, and their hopes for its release.
Martins said the project had been in development for more than ten years, calling the Toronto premiere a major moment for everyone involved. He said he wanted to thank the whole team on behalf of the production and expressed how moved he was by such a warm reception, calling it the realization of a dream for all of them.
Faria said she was thrilled with the reception and to finally be able to share the story with audiences. She described Vicentina as a character who matters deeply to her, saying she had given herself to the project body and soul, and called seeing it on screen for the first time, alongside a large audience, very special.
Cast members Maíra Azevedo, Renato Novaes and Giovanna Heliodoro also attended the screening and appeared on the red carpet. The premiere was also attended by Hígia Ikeda, Netflix Brazil's Film Lead.
Director's earlier comments to CNN Brasil
Before the festival, Martins, also known for directing "Marte Um" ("Mars One"), spoke to CNN Brasil about his expectations for the film's launch at TIFF.
He described TIFF as a hugely important festival with strong tradition, not only in North America but worldwide, saying it brings attention his team had worked hard to earn but does not always achieve, given how competitive the international market is.
He added that no matter how hard a team works, a film does not always manage to break through, but that this one had, and that it was now time to celebrate the effort meeting a receptive audience at what he called a festival with a warm public. He said the TIFF seal of approval would undoubtedly matter for the film's next steps.
Bound for San Sebastián and a possible Oscar bid
After Toronto, Martins is set to travel to the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, running from September 18 to 26, where "Vicentina Pede Desculpas" will have its European market premiere.
Its presence at both festivals strengthens the film's chances of being chosen by the Brazilian Academy to represent the country at the Oscars, where it would compete for a place in the Best International Feature category. That announcement is scheduled for September 16.
The story behind "Vicentina Pede Desculpas"
The film follows Vicentina, a retired 75-year-old teacher, as she seeks out the families of victims of a fatal bus crash in Belo Horizonte to ask their forgiveness, after investigations suggested that the crash, caused by her son Wesley, the bus driver, may have been intentional.
Martins described the film as centered on Vicentina's experience of grief as she comes face to face with the victims' families. He said the title reflects the film's core premise, and that her gesture of asking forgiveness is, ultimately, about living through a deeply personal loss.
