ABOUT THIS EPISODE
If you're a movie fan, chances are you've heard of I'm Still Here. The Brazilian film, based on real-life events during one of the darkest chapters of the country's military dictatorship, has captivated audiences around the world. A powerful story of love, resilience, and resistance, it became a box office success in Brazil before earning international acclaim, culminating in the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars. The screenplay also received widespread recognition, winning the Best Screenplay Award at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
In this episode, we talk to one of the people behind that remarkable achievement: screenwriter Murilo Hauser, who co-wrote I'm Still Here alongside Heitor Lorega.
Long before the red carpets, international awards, and global recognition, Murilo was a Fulbright grantee. Between 2013 and 2015, he earned a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Southern California through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. That experience became a defining moment in his career. Since then, he has established himself as one of Brazil's leading screenwriters, with accomplishments that also include a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for The Blue Trail.
In this conversation, we'll talk about Murilo's Fulbright journey, the lessons he took from studying in the United States, the creative process behind I'm Still Here, and what it's really like to be part of an unforgettable awards season with an Oscar-winning film.
Presenting: Gabriele Jimenez
Audio Editing: Anike Lamoso
The Fulbrighter Podcast spotlights researchers and scholars making an impact beyond borders. If you would like to become a Fulbrighter as well, head to the following link to learn more about the program and how to apply: https://fulbrightprogram.org/
