Review: I’m Still Here

Directed by: Walter Salles

Written by: Murilo Hauser & Heitor Lorega

Starring: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro, Guilherme Silveira, Valentina Herszage 

Rating: [4/5]

When living in a government unafraid to harm their own people and anyone who questions them, it creates an environment where dissent becomes a death wish. It takes bravery to stand up to it with the acknowledgement of the pain that will ensue if they continue to pursue justice. I’m Still Here captures this particular grueling journey as a wife tries to find her husband following an arrest by a government that refuses to provide her with any answers. 

Formerly a politician but very much still involved in politics, Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) continues to advocate for positions against the current ruling parties. His house is then raided by the military, and he’s taken, leaving behind his wife, Eunice (Fernanda Torres). Distraught and left with no information of his whereabouts, Eunice will stop at nothing to gather what information she can acquire while also trying to protect her children from the consequences of her persistence. 

It’s easy to forget what real oppression looks like until actually watching it play out in the way the people of Brazil had to endure the actions of a military dictatorship ruling with an iron fist and acting with impunity. It creates a sense of helplessness of what little power the individual has within this system, leaving Eunice in a place with no avenue to follow all while caring for scared children and maintaining the financial viability of the family. So much to put on the shoulders of a woman, but this journey for Eunice makes for an enthralling and emotionally impactful story. 

Set primarily in the 1970s during the thralls of this oppressive government, the film does a stellar job of exhibiting the fear and perpetual tension in the air for the average person. From when one of Eunice’s children returns from a movie and passes through a military checkpoint to when Enuice gets taken for 12 days and tortured for daring to raise important questions about her husband, this government had no qualms trying to impose their will. Filing a complaint will not be led by a long wait and having it quietly ignored; instead, it may result in a knock on the door by individuals with some pointed questions to ask. It further displays the strength of Eunice in making demands when it will bring her pain but also the way she manages to ensure her kids have a loving family despite it all. The moments this family shares in the good and bad moments within this story display a beauty fundamentally core to the familial experience. 

This film could have easily focused primarily on the political angle of this film, which it somewhat dips its toe into when looking at the movements working to fight for democracy. It would certainly make for an interesting story to follow by also teaching general audiences outside of Brazil who have no clue of this bloody part of their history. Rubens’s work opens the door for further exploration of the cause built to fight back against this regime, and while Eunice certainly involves herself, the main focus remains on the importance of her family. This continues as a story not about her necessarily participating in a cause but rather demonstrating a resilience to maintain her family’s stability and never giving up on the hope of finding her husband. Unfortunately, after a while it shifts from a search to finding her husband to just receiving a confirmation of his death and his remains. A sad reality Eunice must face, but not knowing will not satiate her. 

By far, the defining element of this film is the impeccable performance by Fernanda Torres. Carrying both fire within her, stemming from the anger of this circumstance, and also an unending love for her family, Torres does a splendid job encapsulating everything put on the shoulders of Eunice. She embodies so much of what makes this film so impactful, as she wears it all on her face when she tries to both conceal her pain for the sake of her family and deliver the emotional releases as needed given everything that happens to her character. She rightfully embodies what this title wants to evoke. An undeniable tour-de-force that rightfully received accolades. 

Emotionally powerful and incredibly enlightening, I’m Still Here shines a light on a particularly dark period in Brazilian history. One where the rights of the average person meant very little, and if any suspicion existed about one’s affiliations with pro-democracy groups, a forced disappearance would be in the cards. With so much happening in this country, this film centers and funnels all of the fear and emotion through its lead character. Luckily for us, Fernanda Torres takes on this role and easily takes on all of the weight this story puts on her shoulders. Quite the viewing experience that will certainly leave its impression on anyone who seeks it out.