Film: “I’m Still Here” (2024)
In a world where authoritarianism is becoming the norm, it was inspiring to plane-watch the film “I’m Still Here.”
Directed by Walter Salles, the movie takes its cue from the arrest of thousands of suspected “enemies of the state” in Brazil circa 1970-71. One of them was Rubens Pavia (Selton Mello), a left-of-center ex-politician living peacefully in Rio and now practicing architecture. Unbeknownst to his family, however, he has continued to support advocates of democracy.
Suspecting the worst, the military invades his house near the beach one morning in January 1971. Rubens is arrested and never seen again.
When his wife Eunice (Fernanda Torres) asks about his whereabouts, she too is arrested, then imprisoned and tortured for 12 days. When she is asked again and again whether Rubens is involved with “pro-democracy” movements, she denies it, telling what she believes to be the truth.
Once released, Eunice is told by a family friend that Rubens has been killed. The junta however refuses to officially confirm this. Eunice is left to care for her children alone. She eventually sells their home and moves to São Paulo, closer to her maternal family. She also begins law school, and continues her long fight to find out the truth.
Torres is a model of sensitivity as the parent who realizes she has to do it all once her husband is gone. In one scene, for instance, she keeps her promise to take the children for ice cream. While in the shop, she scans the room of happy families, sadly reminded of the small marital joys stolen from her.
Salles takes great care to show that the Pavias were the furthest things from “enemies of the state.” As we see through 35 mm and Super 16 home movies—and grainy photos obtained from the family’s archives—they enjoyed all the perquisites of an upper-middle-class, liberal lifestyle. The kids play beach volleyball and adopt a stray dog; one daughter is off to study in London; the men smoke cigars—all activities far removed from the grim armored vehicles circling the city.
The film, which won best foreign film at this year’s Oscars, is based on the memoir “Ainda Estou Aqui,” written by Eunice's son. (Side note: it truly is a family affair—Eunice in her later years is played by Fernanda’s IRL mother Fernanda Montealegre.) By February 2025, the film had surpassed 5 million admissions, and became the highest-grossing Brazilian film since COVID. with earnings of $25.2 million.
Lesson learned: Sometimes, against all odds, justice can be served. And not just in the movies. Adeus.
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