After months of waiting and great expectations, Brazilians will finally be able to check out “I’m Still Here ” in theaters. Announced in 2018 and filmed in 2023, the production of Walter Salles toured the world throughout this year, promoting Brazilian cinema in several countries.
The film won awards at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 and was shown in New York and Toronto. The title was also chosen to represent Brazil in the dispute for an Oscar nomination in the Best International Film category — an achievement that the country has not achieved this for 25 years from “Central do Brasil”, also by Salles.
“I’m Still Here” is an adaptation of the book of the same name written by Marcelo Rubens Paiva known for the book “Feliz Ano Velho” — a huge sales success in the 1980s. The story takes place in the 1970s, during the most intense period of the military dictatorship in Brazil, and follows the trajectory of the Paiva family, made up of Rubens ( played by Selton Mello), Eunice (played by Fernanda Torres) and her children.
The family’s life is completely transformed when, on one fateful day, Rubens Paiva is taken by undercover soldiers and disappears without leaving a trace . Eunice, who will dedicate decades searching for answers about her husband’s whereabouts you need to rebuild yourself and chart a new path for yourself and your children. Learn more about the story.
THE CNN You’ve already seen the film and it gives you a preview of what to expect from the production.
Spoiler alert: the following text contains spoilers for the film “I’m Still Here”.
- Contained and moving drama
Unlike other family dramas, “I’m Still Here” stands out for its subtlety . Although it contains moments of great intensity and emotional scenes, its approach is delicate, without exaggeration. The dramatic charge, centered on the script, is transmitted with caution and without unnecessary appeals .
Although the political theme and the military dictatorship bring moments of tension the film never deviates from its proposal, avoiding the excessive drama of a Mexican soap opera. The best example of this is in a particular scene, set in an ice cream shop and marked by silence, it perfectly captures the essence of the film, powerfully portraying the drama of a mother who struggles to support her family alone.
- Spectacular performance by Fernanda Torres
If the film manages to convey emotions in a contained but still powerful way, part of this merit certainly goes to Fernanda Torres . For those more familiar with her roles as Vani from “Os Normais” or Fátima from “Tapas e Beijos,” “Still I’m Here” is an excellent reminder that Torres is one of the greatest Brazilian actresses in activity .
Daughter of Fernanda Montenegro, Torres already showed signs of her talent in the 1980s, when she won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for “Eu Sei que Vou Te Amar”. In “I’m Still Here”, your character is the heart and soul of the film and her delivery on stage does justice to the magnitude and complexity of Eunice Paiva’s life.
- History class
“I’m Still Here” makes a excellent historical representation work . For those unfamiliar with the troubled period of the military dictatorship, the film offers clear and accessible contextualization without sounding like a high school history lesson.
The main events are addressed precisely, such as the Truth Commission, Institutional Act No. 5, forms of torture and the post-dictatorship moment in Brazil. Those who do not have in-depth knowledge of the period will be able to understand easily, without having to ask their seatmate, while those who already know the history will be able to easily identify the points covered.
Watch the trailer for “I’m Still Here”
“I’m Still Here” is chosen to represent Brazil at the 2025 Oscars
This content was originally published in Poignant, restrained and real drama: what to expect from “I’m Still Here”? on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
