Selton Mello, background left, and Fernanda Torres, star in I'm Still Here.Alile Onawale/The Associated Press
I’m Still Here
Directed by Walter Salles
Written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, based on the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva
Starring Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello
Opens in select theatres Jan. 31
Critic’s Pick
Most of us understand that the havoc wreaked on societies by an authoritarian regime will resonate for generations, but I’m Still Here, based on the true story of Brazilian activist Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), forces us to feel this truth deep in our bones.
In 1971, the Paiva family resides in Rio de Janeiro amidst the backdrop of Brazil’s brutal military dictatorship. Their life is joyous, their friends are many; the closeness they share amongst themselves and their community is palpable, emanating warmly from the screen. Yet their happiness is cruelly cut short when Eunice’s husband, Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello), is arrested by the military for his left-wing activities and “disappeared.” Eunice, a mother of five, has no choice but to move forward, fighting not only to expose the truth behind her husband’s fate, but to ensure the safety and well-being of her children.
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Directed by Walter Salles and based on the memoir by Eunice’s son, Marcelo Rubens Paiva, I’m Still Here is a devastating albeit understated telling of the necessity of perseverance and hope. Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards, its depiction of grief and fear juxtaposed against the small, beautiful moments in everyday life is heart-wrenching in its realism. Filmed entirely in Portuguese with English subtitles, I’m Still Here feels less like a cinematic retelling of a tragedy, but more like an intimate slice of life we get to briefly share in. It quickly becomes a privilege to journey alongside Eunice.
Of course, this is why Torres more than deserves her Oscar nod. Her evolution from doting, dynamic wife and mother to determined human rights crusader is commanding. She emotes from within, conveying the pain she’s forced to carry silently while maintaining the outward strength needed to keep her family assured. It’s a beautiful performance, made even more impactful by its basis in reality. I’m Still Here is a timely, exquisite masterpiece, fully deserving of every award nomination and win.
Special to The Globe and Mail