REVIEW: “I’m Still Here” (2024)

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As a movie buff with a soft spot for historical dramas and a keen interest in South American cinema, “I’m Still Here” has left an indelible impression on me. This film, directed by Walter Salles, is a testament to resilience, courage, and the human spirit. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, it unfolds against the backdrop of Brazil during the tumultuous 1970s under military rule, a period I vividly remember from my own childhood in Rio de Janeiro.

Firmly established among this year’s top films, “I’m Still Here” immerses us deeply into its intense and tumultuous atmosphere just as effectively as any other movie you might watch in 2024. Brazilian director Walter Salles, collaborating with screenwriters Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, brings to life the gripping true tale of Eunice Paiva, a woman who endures and ultimately triumphs over a devastating political storm as a wife and mother.

The novel ‘I’m Still Here,’ as depicted in Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir “Ainda Estou Aqui,” is set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro during the early 1970s under a strict military regime. This regime took power in the spring of 1964 following a coup led by the Brazilian Armed Forces, which ousted the embattled president João Goulart. The ensuing dictatorship endured for 21 years and was characterized by numerous human rights violations such as forced disappearances, torture, and executions.

In the movie, Salles swiftly justifies our investment by devoting ample screentime to crafting the Paiva family, with Eunice serving as the film’s emotional core, portrayed powerfully by the talented Fernanda Torres. She enjoys a tender marriage with Rubens (Selton Mello), an engineer and former congressman, and they share five children – one son and four daughters – residing in a bustling two-story dwelling close to the beach.

The Paiva family is lively and colorful, each member possessing a unique personality. For instance, there’s Vera (Valentina Herszage), who is deeply passionate about activism and embarks on a journey to London for sociology studies. Then there’s Eliana (Luiza Kosovski), who displays remarkable understanding of the world’s complexities at such a young age, due to her keen observation skills and awareness of current events. Both characters are exceptionally well-crafted, individually as well as collectively, and their performances are brimming with vitality and emotion.

However, one fateful evening, a band of enigmatic armed individuals disrupts their peaceful life by demanding that Rubens accompany them for a “testimony.” As he’s led away, three men remain behind to safeguard Eunice and their children. A whole day passes without any news from either Rubens or the government-appointed agents who had taken him. Growing concerned, Eunice seeks information, but more men show up and take her and Eliana into lengthy, exhausting, and abusive interrogations.

Eunice and Eliana have been freed, but there’s no news about Rubens. The authorities feign ignorance, even claiming they never had him in their custody. The movie then centers around Eunice’s quest for truth concerning her husband’s kidnapping, all while caring for and safeguarding her children. This gripping tale is inspired by real-life events and boosted by Torres’ outstanding performance – one of the standout films of the year.

As Brazil’s nomination for Best International Feature Film at the forthcoming Academy Awards, “I’m Still Here” is a compelling historical drama that deserves serious attention. The film narrates a powerful, educational, and emotionally charged tale of a family’s struggle against an oppressive regime. Director Salles skillfully breathes life into this story, making incisive comments about Brazilian history, all the while underscoring the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of immense hardship. This is definitely worth watching.

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2024-11-29 19:56