It’s 1970, Brazil is under a military dictatorship, and disappearance cases are everywhere. Despite this, the Paiva family lives peacefully by the beach, throwing parties and dances in their lively house. Until one night, their entire lives are overturned by the government’s abduction of their former congressman father, Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello).
Directed by Walter Salles, “I’m Still Here” follows a heartbreaking adaptation of the real Paiva family’s history, as written in the 2015 memoir by Marcelo Rubens Paiva. The political biographical drama depicts Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), a mother struggling to solve the mystery behind her husband’s disappearance while protecting her family at the same time. The movie premiered on Sept. 1 at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and was released in theaters on Feb. 7. “I’m Still Here” is nominated for three Oscars and is the first Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture. The film is worth exploring for its accurate, emotional portrayal of how politics invades domesticity.
Throughout the film, Eunice fights against the injustices her family has suffered because of the authoritarian system they live under, remaining unyielding to kidnappings, home invasions and government lies. Torres rightfully deserves her lead actress Oscar nomination for portraying the raw emotions of a sheltered mother forced to face the harsh realities of living in tyranny, embarking on a decades-long activism journey while raising five children.
Interactions across the entire cast reflect the dynamics of a real family, from playful moments in the sand to mourning over Rubens’ death. The actors’ performances do not rely on excessive bursts of rage or gestures to convey strong emotions. Instead, subtle — yet effective — communications are used to show their inner conflicts. The nuanced acting makes the tragedies the Paiva family suffers even more heart-wrenching, while emphasizing the power of family over politics.
The film has a runtime of over two hours and its slow pace focuses on the complexity of emotional turmoil experienced during the family’s period of grief. The storyline evokes sorrowful outrage at the depiction of an unrestrained authoritarianism, as well as hope in the human spirit for resistance against injustices.
Salles creates a deep narrative among the Paiva family members, choosing to focus on their resilience against oppression rather than their sufferings. A commemoration of the real families who suffered from the military’s regime is included in the end credits.
With politically powerful storytelling and masterful performances, “I’m Still Here” is a tragic true story that is sure to bring audiences to tears while spreading global awareness of the distress caused by a dysfunctional political climate.
“I’m Still Here”
2 hours, 15 minutes
Rated PG-13
Directed by Walter Salles
Starring Fernanda Torres, Fernanda Montenegro and Selton Mello
