Chapter 41 – The Golden Globe for Best Actor
January 5, 2026.
Los Angeles was lit up, brighter than ever.
The Beverly Hilton Hotel, the traditional venue for the Golden Globes, was packed with stars, journalists, and filmmakers from all over the world.
It was the first major awards ceremony of the year.
And among the nominees of the night, one name resonated strongly among critics and the international press:
Gustavo Salles.
Just a year earlier, he had won Best Supporting Actor for I'm Still Here.
Now, he was back.
But this time, as the lead.
And this time, he was the favorite.
Gustavo was sitting at his table, surrounded by Fernando and some members of Getúlio's cast and production team.
He was holding a glass of wine, but he wasn't drinking.
Adrenaline was running through his body.
At the table next to him, Leonardo DiCaprio smiled at him and raised his glass in a silent toast.
Gustavo returned the gesture.
All of Brazil was rooting for him. And then… The moment arrived.
One of the presenters went up on stage and opened the envelope.
"And the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Film goes to…"
The silence in the room was deafening. Gustavo held his breath.
"GUSTAVO SALLES – GETÚLIO!"
For a second, he froze. And then, the entire theater exploded in applause. Fernando clapped his hands with a proud smile. Gustavo felt a shock run through his body. He had won. He stood up while everyone around him congratulated him.
Selton, who was there as a guest, hugged him tightly and whispered: "One more, champion. And it won't be the last."
Bruna Marquezine, who was also at the awards ceremony, applauded enthusiastically.
Gustavo took a deep breath and walked to the stage.
Each step seemed like a dream.
When he picked up the golden statuette, he looked at the audience full of famous faces.
Everyone gave him a standing ovation.
And then he began his speech.
He held the Golden Globe tightly and smiled.
"Well... I swear I still haven't learned how to deal with this."
The audience laughed and applauded.
"When I got up here last year, as Best Supporting Actor, I thought that was the craziest thing I've ever done. And now I'm here again. As the lead. This is insane."
He took a deep breath, feeling the emotion take over.
"Playing Getúlio Vargas was one of the biggest challenges of my life. This film was about history, about legacy. But it was also about an entire country. Brazil.
The audience applauded.
— And I want to dedicate this award to all the Brazilian actors, screenwriters and filmmakers who work every day to tell our stories. We are here. And we are just getting started.
More applause.
Gustavo smiled, looked at the trophy and, before leaving the stage, added:
— And, as promised… If I win the Oscar, I will SAMBO.
The audience burst into laughter and screams.
Jimmy Fallon, at his table, banged the table with laughter.
And Gustavo got off the stage with the certainty that that night was just another step towards the next big moment.
The Oscar was waiting for him.
Chapter 42 – Critics' Choice Awards
January 14, 2026
The spotlights illuminated the façade of the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, where the Critics' Choice Awards ceremony was taking place.
The event, organized by the Critics Choice Association, was known for being one of the most respected barometers for the Oscars.
And that night, Gustavo was once again among the nominees.
He had already won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Film for Getúlio, and now, he was about to find out if he would take home another award.
Gustavo got out of the car wearing a tailored dark blue suit, elegant and discreet.
He was already more accustomed to the excitement of awards ceremonies, but he still felt that electric energy in the air.
As soon as he stepped onto the red carpet, the flashes exploded.
The journalists rushed to get a statement.
"Gustavo! You won the Golden Globe a few days ago. How are you feeling about coming to such an important awards ceremony?
He smiled, always charismatic.
— Honestly? I'm still trying to understand everything that's going on. But I'm so happy to be here.
Another reporter asked:
— Do you think "Getúlio" can win another award today?
Gustavo laughed, relaxed.
— It's not up to me to decide that. But if it happens, I promise I won't faint on stage.
The answer made everyone around him laugh.
He entered the event and went straight to his table, where Fernando Meirelles, members of the film's crew and other nominees of the night were.
And then, the event began.
The awards ceremony continued with its traditional sophistication, and Gustavo applauded each winner with genuine enthusiasm.
But when it came to the category for Best Actor in a Drama Film, he felt his heart race.
The actress presenting the category came on stage with a golden envelope.
— And the nominees for Best Actor are…
The names of the competitors appeared on the screen:
The entire room held its breath.
Gustavo exchanged a quick glance with Fernando, who smiled confidently.
And then…
The presenter opened the envelope.
She made a brief dramatic pause, looked at the audience and announced:
— And the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor goes to…
— GUSTAVO SALLES, FOR GETÚLIO!
The room exploded in applause.
Fernando proudly slapped the table.
Bruna Marquezine, who was at a nearby table, screamed with excitement.
Gustavo was stunned for a moment.
Another one.
One more.
He won again.
Selton, who was present as a guest, stood up and pulled Gustavo by the arm.
— Go on, champion. Brazil is with you.
Gustavo took a deep breath, walked to the stage and climbed the steps with an emotional smile.
When he picked up the statuette, he stopped for a moment, looking at the audience.
Everyone gave him a standing ovation.
He adjusted the microphone and began:
— Ok… now I officially don't know what's going on with my life anymore.
The audience laughed and applauded.
He held the statuette for a moment and took a deep breath.
— Receiving this award for playing Getúlio Vargas is an immense honor. This film was not just a challenge for me as an actor. It was a way of telling the world a part of Brazil's history. A complex, intense part, full of nuances.
The audience nodded attentively.
— And more than that, this film made me understand even more the weight of the responsibility of being a storyteller. Cinema is not just entertainment. Cinema is memory, it is education, it is transformation.
He looked at Fernando and smiled.
— Thank you, Fernando, for trusting me with this role. Thank you to the cast, the crew, and every single person who made this movie happen.
He paused, thinking, and then smiled mischievously.
— And before I forget… I know Jimmy Fallon is watching this. So yes, Jimmy, if I win the Oscar, I will SAMBO.
The audience burst into laughter and screams.
Gustavo raised the statuette high, smiled, and said:
— This is for Brazilian cinema. We're just getting started.
And he left the stage to a storm of applause.
Social media went into meltdown.
— GUSTAVO SALLES MADE HISTORY AGAIN!
— Another award for him! The Oscar is getting closer and closer!
— This guy really doesn't stop winning. It's unbelievable!
On Jornal Nacional, the main headline of the night was:
"Gustavo Salles wins the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actor and reinforces his favoritism for the Oscar."
And Gustavo, already back in his seat, looked at his statuette and smiled.
He knew it.
The next big moment was coming.
The Oscar was waiting for him.
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