If you want to understand a fascist government and how impactful that can be on ordinary citizens, this is the film to watch. Not only does it have brilliant performances, emotional scenes but it is dynamic and impactful, a film that does a stunning job of presenting how a fascist government can make individuals disappear. Even if you don’t follow current politics, the family drama will bring you to tears. 

“I’m Still Here” is a political biographical drama directed by Walter Salles based on a screenplay by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir of the same name. In Brazil, 1971, the country faced a tightening of a military dictatorship. Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), mother of five children, is forced to reinvent herself after her family suffers a violent and arbitrary act by the government, as her husband Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) is taken into custody and never seen again. The film is based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s biographical book and tells the true story that helped reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history. 

What makes this such a dynamic and impactful film is the way the movie presents the Paiva family first, demonstrating the love within the family and building empathy for Eunice and her children. We see how much love Rubens and Eunice have for their children but we also see how Rubens is attempting to help others within his country. We meet the Paiva’s friends, all working to create a democracy. The family and their love is beautiful which is what makes the film have more impact.

The movie ratchets up the tension when Rubens is asked to testify and taken away by unnamed men who remain with the family. No one is allowed to leave. Eunice’s fear is palpable as she attempts to keep her children calm. Her oldest daughter is in England visiting friends and the housekeeper is the only other adult who can help. As Eunice and her second oldest daughter, Eliana, are driven away to answer questions, you can feel the terror in them. Even when Eunice and Eliana are freed, they can’t find out any information. Silence gives power to the dictators so Eunice goes on a quest to find the truth. What is incredible is how we see that she never gives up trying for justice for Rubens and the others that are taken by a corrupt regime. And the details of her life and what happened after bring the film to life.

The performance of Fernanda Torres is compelling, scintillating in her expressiveness, a performance where we see the character in the subtlest of emotions, highlighting anger and anxiety. Her dynamic with Selton Mello sells the love of the couple and her loss as the character is clearly demonstrated even when smiling. The performances of the actresses and actors playing her children are profoundly good as well. Even though young, each performer feels like a part of a family, siblings and individuals who go through a traumatic event. 

This is a movie that relies on the performances to bring to life Eunice’s story and that of her children. The story is simple, straightforward and elegant as we see how bonded their family is and the torture of losing their father. Even moments like eating a meal highlight their loss but the film also is triumphant as they carry on and keep living, Eunice fighting for others just like her husband. The film and Fernanda Torres brings to life Eunice’s irrepressible spirit. 

If you like biographical drama films, this film is brilliant. Not only will you learn how a dictatorship operates but you will also see how much impact a repressive regime has on its citizens. You will learn how some horrors never go away but must be fought and brought into the light. And finally you will learn about an amazing human being, Eunice Paiva. The cast and Fernanda Torres are incredible and the story is beautiful. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 photos.

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