Rio kicks off Carnival parades with Oscars glory on minds / Photo: Daniel RAMALHO - AFP
-
Florence's Giotto frescoes restored to glory after renovation
-
UK faces hard choices over military spending: analysts
-
Whole England squad must feel 'loved' at World Cup: Bellingham
-
Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX shares jump
-
Iran says deal with US closer than ever as Trump lashes out
-
Players welcome 'step forward' after Wimbledon prize money increase
-
Contemporary art giant David Hockney dies aged 88
-
France bids farewell to girl, 11, whose killing sparked outrage
-
Van Gils claims Auvergne Tour stage as Tuckwell moves into overall lead
-
Pele's 1958 World Cup winners' medal set to fetch £500,000
-
Ebola spreading into new areas in northeast DR Congo: WHO
-
African, Asian experts denied EU visas for major midwives summit
-
Kennedy Center board, Justice Dept appeal order to remove Trump's name
-
Former world champion Tsegay banned over doping violation
-
Wall Street wobbles as SpaceX shares launch, oil slides on Mideast deal hopes
-
SpaceX lifts off in record Wall Street debut
-
US deportation flight carrying Iranians en route to C.African Republic
-
Afghans scrap protest plans as Herat city under tight security
-
'I don't want to limit myself': Chinese star Xin Zhilei on new experiences
-
New Zealand great Williamson says 'right time' to retire from international cricket
-
Ronaldo 'very positive' as Portugal head for World Cup
-
British artist David Hockney dies aged 88
-
Mercedes' Russell quickest in opening Barcelona F1 practice
-
At a Libyan university once ravaged by war, students dream again
-
O'Callaghan and Short star at Australian swim trials
-
Kenya mourns schoolgirls killed in suspected dorm arson attack
-
Pope urges migrants to integrate during Canary Islands visit
-
COP31 hosts urged to 'lead by example' on fossil fuels
-
Alpine's Gasly reinstated to Monaco Grand Prix podium
-
British art 'giant' David Hockney dies aged 88
-
David Hockney: contemporary master of brilliant, bold colours
-
Belgian Van Aert retires injured on Tour de France warm-up race
-
'All of us of are migrants,' pope says in Canary Islands
-
Chiefs reach Super Rugby final in Crusaders humiliation
-
Fight against HIV 'in peril' due to aid cuts, UN warns
-
Stocks up, oil down on Mideast deal hopes
-
USA play first World Cup finals game on home soil since 1994
-
At Romania's edge, quiet life meets threat of war
-
Australia coach Popovic extends contract ahead of World Cup opener
-
Switzerland split on immigration vote: four perspectives
-
A year after deadly Air India crash, families await answers
-
The migration pact: What's in the EU's landmark asylum reform?
-
US submarine group to arrive in Australia this year: minister
-
Indonesian Messi superfan welcomes World Cup
-
India migrant evictions seed fear in Bangladesh border towns
-
Thai princess dies aged 47 after three years in hospital
-
S. Korea's ex-president gets 30 years over North Korea drone incident
-
Yangon's furtive party scene belies junta claims of normality
-
Tehran says no final decision as Trump touts imminent deal
-
South Korea defeat Czechs to make strong World Cup start
Rio kicks off Carnival parades with Oscars glory on minds
Rio de Janeiro held the first day of its famous Carnival samba parades Sunday -- with many attendees also eying activities all the way in Hollywood, where Brazil could take home its first Oscar.
While the samba schools prepare to put their talents on display, the possibility of Brazil claiming victory at the Academy Awards with "I'm Still Here" generated an additional air of celebration among the Carnival festivities.
The film, directed by Walter Salles, tells the story of former congressman Ruben Paiva's disappearance in 1971, and the actions by his widow Eunice during the country's military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964-1985.
"I'm Still Here" earned nominations for best picture, best foreign film and best lead actress for Fernanda Torres, who already won a Golden Globe award for her performance.
Oscars buzz can be found all over the streets of Rio, as billboards and posters touting support for Torres display alongside revelers dressed up as her in the Carnival parades, with some dedicated entirely to the actress.
"There is no better day than a Carnival Sunday to win the Oscar," Rebecca Maria Darakjian Batoni, a 25-year-old celebrant in the northeast city of Olinda, told AFP.
Among the crowds at Carnival, many attendees wielded plastic golden statuettes sold by street vendors.
"Fernanda is an example, an idol for all of Brazil, and today we're all going to stop to see her win the Oscar!" said Cristina Leite de Moraes, a 25-year-old doctor.
Torres, 59, has said she felt "very proud" that the streets were filled with her image.
At Rio's massive Sambadrome, the top twelve samba schools will compete from Sunday until Tuesday, in a new three-day format instead of the traditional two.
The change will give each group a little more time, up to 80 minutes, for its thousands of dancers and musicians to walk the mythical catwalk in front of some 70,000 attendees and millions of television viewers around the world.
Authorities said that excitement over the Oscars win could help amplify the economic activity generated by Carnival festivities, with estimates for the festival approaching the $1 billion dollar mark.
T.Khatib--SF-PST
