I’m Still Here

There are many people who look at the state of the world and worry about their futures. Of course, for all that worry, there are just as many who don’t, believing that what’s happening won’t affect them. Walter Salles’ new film, I’m Still Here, serves as a reminder that no matter who you are, no one is safe when the political climate shifts. For the Paiva family, change comes fast, and I’m Still Here is both their story and a warning for all of us.

The Paivas are a well-to-do family, as Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) was once a senator in a different time. Now, in 1971, he is a successful and respected engineer, and he and his wife, Eunice (Fernanda Torres), do their best to give their children a good life. While their life appears picture-perfect, like much of Brazil, it is not. A military dictatorship has taken over the country, and the Paivas’ seemingly perfect lifestyle is beginning to unravel.

Though life around them is changing, their daily routines remain the same—until the military police arrive to take Rubens in for questioning. But he isn’t the only one; soon, Eunice and one of their daughters are also taken, yet all Eunice can think about is where her husband is. Time passes, and Rubens never returns home. The government, meanwhile, claims they don’t know where he is, even denying at one point that they ever detained him. What follows is a harrowing account of the nightmare this family endured and Eunice’s relentless search for the truth about her husband’s fate.

Written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s book, I’m Still Here opts not to focus on the broader political landscape but instead hones in on the fate of this one family. It avoids melodrama, choosing an almost documentary-style approach that follows Eunice’s struggle to keep her family together. That said, from the very first scene, we are given a chilling glimpse of what life was like in Brazil at the time. While the film refrains from explicitly depicting the horrors, it alludes to them in a powerful way.

I’m Still Here packs an emotional punch and is bound to bring tears. The story is deeply sensitive, but Salles tells it in both a respectful and informative way. The film provides an insightful look into this dark chapter of history through the lens of one family, and the cast elevates the material. Fernanda Torres delivers a stunning performance, starting subdued but growing increasingly powerful as the film progresses. She embodies this role, standing out while seamlessly blending in with the strong ensemble cast.

The only flaw the film has is its prolonged and somewhat unnecessary ending. While it may feel excessive, it ultimately doesn’t take away from the film’s impact. In the end, I’m Still Here leaves a lasting impression—not just because of its political message, but because of its deeply human story of family and resilience.