I'm Still Here (2024)★ 8.3/10

CINEMA! Brazilian cinema peaks once again. Beautifully shot and executed through a perfect sense of pacing, which avoids falling into the Hollywood ideals of keeping the drama up there at all moments by underestimating an audience. Sometimes all a strong scene needs is an emotional but subtle gaze, worth of a thousand words. The first half an hour of wholesome familiar moments are crucial for the downfall of following events. It is given the same importance as the heartbreaking story ahead, with a rare patience often disregarded in cinema. Such pace also beautifully portrays how democracy is killed through baby steps, little by little, barely unnoticed until it is too late. Similarly, an enraging mix of emotions grows subtly in our hearts as we follow Eunice through her journey, and, without realizing, such distress takes the form of non-stopping tears. A terrifying but meaningful story too close to us, specially for those who grew up in Brazil with the horror stories from the dictatorship age. It does hit much harder with the historical context and understanding of Brazilian politics and culture. Not just an important film, but also a huge lesson, for History to not be forgotten or repeated. Smile!!

By depicting an ordinary family’s endurance and rebirth under political oppression, the film highlights both the resilience of the human spirit and the power of familial bonds. While the storytelling itself may not be particularly groundbreaking—at times even bordering on conventional—its emotional impact makes it a moving and meaningful watch.

I'm Still Here not only examines political persecution under Brazil’s military dictatorship but also tells the story of a woman’s resilience under unimaginable hardship. Though the film doesn’t dwell on the specifics of Eunice’s suffering, small details—like her paralyzed son confined to a wheelchair—hint at the depth of her struggles. Despite everything, she refuses to break. She survives, not just for herself, but for all those who have endured the same darkness, fighting for justice in the ruins of her past.

I’m no expert in history, especially of other countries, but there’s a movie that focuses on a truly dark period of time, I’M STILL HERE. Based on the memoir of the same name and spoken in Portuguese with English subtitles, it takes place in 1970’s Rio de Janeiro, which is under military dictatorship. For the Paiva family of 7, it’s a beautiful relaxing day at the beach. The mother Eunice (Fernanda Torres) has fleeting moments of uneasiness when seeing more and more of the military in the backdrop of this idyllic location. Having no prior historical knowledge of these events, even I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it eventually does, Eunice does everything in her power to protect her family. This movie doesn’t rely on big melodramatic speeches to get its very powerful message out. It’s in the stifling of emotion a mother has to do to protect her kids. It’s in the iron willpower of not giving up. It’s in the amazing script where every interaction feels authentic. Fernanda Torres deserves every award. It’s tough competition, but she has a good chance for Best Actress Academy Award. This is a very tense movie, but it shines a light at what was hidden at first. Go see this movie for its overwhelming message that despite all of the atrocities committed during that time, I’M STILL HERE.

The movie's based on a true story, and it shows how the whole system slowly leads to a downfall of a happy family. The ending drags a bit, though. It would be better if they had just ended it at the moment when the wife smiles while getting the death certificate of her husband.

It's one of the most basic ways to film something like this, it's extremely one-dimensional. Compared to other movies in the same genre, its concept feels outdated.

Importantíssimo.

El premiado film de Walter Salles nos evita mayormente los ribetes burocráticos del recorrido de Eunice Paiva, centrándose en los desafíos personales que le impuso la desaparición de su marido que puso patas para arriba su vida y la de sus hijos, teniendo que asumir el comando de esa numerosa familia en paralelo con su búsqueda.

Eunice, es una mujer que debe reinventarse y mantenerse relativamente entera frente a sus hijos, ocultándoles información y dosificando la esperanza, en una gran interpretación de Fernanda Torres.

Cuando uno ve películas sobre dictaduras militares latinoamericanas, siempre vuelve a resaltar la excepcionalidad del caso argentino y su política de DD.HH de verdad y justicia. Es el único país donde su poder judicial ha sido y es capaz de juzgar y encarcelar a los genocidas, más allá de los avances y retrocesos en la promoción de los juicios por parte de los gobiernos.

Es un logro que se debe preservar frente a los embates negacionistas provenientes actualmente del poder y que buscan socavar ese paradigma.

Todo o debate tentando desmerecer Walter Salles meio que caiu por terra, pois é inegável a competência do seu cinema. Filme importantíssimo e atual, infelizmente atual até demais: é preciso dar um jeito, meu amigo.

Ainda Estou Aqui. Acho que nada descreve melhor tudo que a família Paiva foi obrigada a enfrentar depois do "desaparecimento" de Rubens. Eu não esperava que depois de tanto tempo sem assistir a filmes brasileiros, eu ficasse tão impressionada com todo o trabalho demonstrado em um filme digno de ser visto na tela do cinema. Fernanda Torres carrega o filme. Selton Mello nos dá uma performance profunda e delicada mesmo que em menos tempo na tela. Walter Salles nos entrega uma obra responsável fazer história e dar ao Brasil algo que nos deviam há tempos: O Oscar.

Filme tocante, inspirador e necessário! Conta a história já conhecida por todos, mas por outro ponto de vista.

Genial.