I’m Still Here is an angry, passionate, shout at the pain inflicted by a government against its people. Specifically, it is aimed at the Brazilian military dictatorship that took the lives of so many in the 1970s in the name of defending the country from communists. This is a based-on-a-true-story movie that genuinely feels honest in the way it approaches the realities of that era. It is about a woman who is not interested in politics. She just wants her husband back, her children to be safe and her family to be whole. We never see what happens to the victims who are tortured and killed. This is about the bravery and refusal to stop fighting of one survivor, who demands that the truth is admitted to the world.
Director Walter Salles creates an empathetic character study out of a harrowing chapter in his country’s history. He tells this woman’s story intimately, compassionately and without dramatic manipulation. He follows her as she does whatever she can to learn the truth and protect her kids. It stands on its own, its power coming from facts. This is a movie yelling on the inside, while injustice is battled with a calm most of us would be incapable of mustering in such an unthinkable situation. At 131 minutes (not including the end credits), it drags in a few spots and probably contains a couple more scenes than necessary near the end; yet that doesn’t prevent this from being a very worthwhile viewing experience.
In 1970 Rio de Janeiro, the Paiva family is happy. Father Rubens, a retired congressman, mother Eunice and their five kids enjoy each other’s company in the shadow of a military that would take citizens from their home, without warning. One day, a group of men show up and order Rubens to come with them. This sends shockwaves throughout the family (as well as their tight-knit community), forcing Eunice to take control in an effort to find her husband.
I’m Still Here (based on Marcelo Paiva's 2015 memoir) has been nominated for three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Foreign Film and Best Actress. It certainly captured the attention of voters who were moved by its fact-based tale of courage in the face of tragedy. A big part of its success is the performance by Fernanda Torres as Eunice. She has to balance her fear that she will never see Rubens again with a confidence she can display to her children so they will not lose hope.
Torres does not give us a clear look at Eunice’s sadness often and she never breaks, despite how easy it would’ve been to do so. While on the inside she is furious and devastated, on the outside, she tries her best to not show it. It is complicated work because she carries the message the movie is attempting to get across, representing a real family and an entire generation of Brazilians.
This is a story that will continue to be relevant as long as governments try to maintain control over their people through force. Quelling rebellion via torture, murder, lies and intimidation only leads to more rebellion. The fact that, even in the early scenes, when they seem comfortable in their lives, the Paiva family is concerned that the military could come knocking at any time is extremely telling. They go so far as to send their oldest daughter to England to live with friends to make sure she is out of danger. Salles doesn’t hit any of these points too hard. He allows his audience to watch, learn and feel along with his characters. It is very effective filmmaking.
3¾ out of 5
Cast:
Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva
Selton Mello as Rubens Paiva
Valentina Heszage as Veroca
Barbara Luz as Nalu
Luiza Kosovski as Eliana
Guilherme Silveira as Marcelo
Cora Mora as Babiu
Directed by Walter Salles
Screenplay by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega
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