Selton Mello, the Brazilian who starred in an Oscar-winning film, is a fan of Argentine cinema and made the leap to Hollywood

Selton Mello, a Brazilian actor with a career spanning over 40 years, is experiencing a new wave of international fame after his role in Walter Salles' "Ainda Estou Aqui," which won the Oscar for best international film in 2025.

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I think the international success of 'Ainda Estou Aqui' has to do with connecting with similar experiences in various places around the world. It was a great success in France, for example, where you have Le Pen, in the United States, where you have Donald Trump… People identify with films like this or Argentina, 1985. In a very sensitive way, Walter (Salles) managed to illuminate the present by talking about the past.

Mello attributes the film's global success to its ability to connect with similar experiences worldwide. "I think the international success of 'Ainda Estou Aqui' has to do with connecting with similar experiences in various places around the world," he told LA NACION in an interview at the Gramado Film Festival. He noted its popularity in France and the United States, suggesting that audiences identify with films that sensitively explore the present by speaking about the past, much like "Argentina, 1985."

During the festival, where he received the Kikito de Cristal, a high honor for career achievement, Mello confessed his dreams of making films when he first visited Gramado years ago. "I didn't imagine that one day I would be here as a representative of cinema," he said.

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I remember very well the first times I came to Gramado. Back then I was doing telenovelas and dreaming of making films. I didn't imagine that one day I would be here as a representative of cinema.

With "Ainda Estou Aqui" opening doors globally, Mello is now receiving offers from the United States, France, Spain, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. He confirmed his intention to film his next project in Argentina, though he remained enigmatic about the details. Mello also shared his deep admiration and extensive knowledge of Argentine cinema, mentioning directors like Lucrecia Martel and Santiago Mitre, and films such as "La historia oficial" and "El secreto de sus ojos."

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After 'Ainda Estou Aqui,' the doors of the world opened for me.