DIRECTOR: Walter Salles
STARRING: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Valentina Herszage
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 17 minutes
LANGUAGE: Portuguese
In Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, during the dictatorship, former deputy Rubens Paiva was taken from his home by soldiers to be interrogated. He was never found again. The search for truth lasts 30 long years. And when the answers begin to appear, Eunice Paiva feels the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
***
I'm Still Here is written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega and directed by Walter Salles. The film is an adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s autobiographical book about his mother, Eunice Paiva. The film had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim, with unanimous praise towards Fernanda Torres' performance. It was the winner of the Best Screenplay award. The film also screened at the Toronto, New York and San Sebastián Film Festivals. Sony Pictures Classics will handle distribution of the film in North America.
The Brazilian Academy of Cinema announced Monday, September 23, the feature film that will represent Brazil in the competition for a spot in the Best International Film category at the 97th Annual Awards held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I'm Still Here, by Walter Salles, was unanimously chosen by the Selection Committee. The film competed with 11 other productions including Cidade Campo by Juliana Rojas; Levante by Lillah Halla; Motel Destino by Karim Aïnouz; Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro by Haroldo Borges; and Sem Coração by Nara Normande and Tião.
The film is produced by Videofilmes, RT Features and Mact Productions. I'm Still Here is Globoplay’s first original film, in co-production with ARTE France and Conspiração.
I'm Still Here is a drama and it was filmed mostly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
To check out all previous submissions for Brazil, click HERE.
STARRING: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Valentina Herszage
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 17 minutes
LANGUAGE: Portuguese
In Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, during the dictatorship, former deputy Rubens Paiva was taken from his home by soldiers to be interrogated. He was never found again. The search for truth lasts 30 long years. And when the answers begin to appear, Eunice Paiva feels the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
***
I'm Still Here is written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega and directed by Walter Salles. The film is an adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s autobiographical book about his mother, Eunice Paiva. The film had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim, with unanimous praise towards Fernanda Torres' performance. It was the winner of the Best Screenplay award. The film also screened at the Toronto, New York and San Sebastián Film Festivals. Sony Pictures Classics will handle distribution of the film in North America.
The Brazilian Academy of Cinema announced Monday, September 23, the feature film that will represent Brazil in the competition for a spot in the Best International Film category at the 97th Annual Awards held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I'm Still Here, by Walter Salles, was unanimously chosen by the Selection Committee. The film competed with 11 other productions including Cidade Campo by Juliana Rojas; Levante by Lillah Halla; Motel Destino by Karim Aïnouz; Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro by Haroldo Borges; and Sem Coração by Nara Normande and Tião.
The film is produced by Videofilmes, RT Features and Mact Productions. I'm Still Here is Globoplay’s first original film, in co-production with ARTE France and Conspiração.
I'm Still Here is a drama and it was filmed mostly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
To check out all previous submissions for Brazil, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“We’ll smile.”
Walter Salles’ I'm Still Here is a deeply emotional and powerful return to form for the celebrated Brazilian director, offering a poignant exploration of family, resilience, and the devastating effects of political repression. Based on the real-life story of Eunice Paiva, the film captures the heartache of a woman whose life is upended by the disappearance of her husband during Brazil's military dictatorship. With rich performances, particularly from Fernanda Torres, and a sensitive portrayal of both personal and historical trauma, I'm Still Here becomes a story not just about survival, but about the quiet courage it takes to fight for justice.
From the opening scene, where Eunice floats peacefully in the ocean under a clear sky, Salles sets the stage for a tale of contrast. The film beautifully juxtaposes the simplicity of family life with the growing tension of living under an authoritarian regime. The Paiva family, with their joyful moments of togetherness, gradually feels the suffocating grip of the dictatorship, and Salles masterfully captures this shift in tone. The symbolic transformation of the family home, from a lively, open space to one marked by fear and silence, adds layers of emotional depth to the narrative.
Fernanda Torres delivers an extraordinary performance as Eunice, carrying the film with her quiet strength and vulnerability. She portrays a woman whose life is shattered by her husband’s forced disappearance, yet she finds the courage to carry on for the sake of her children. Torres’ nuanced portrayal of grief, determination, and the toll of an unyielding quest for answers anchors the film, making Eunice's journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. It’s a performance that feels lived-in and authentic, ensuring the audience is deeply invested in her story from beginning to end.
Salles’ direction is both subtle and evocative, avoiding melodrama while allowing the emotional weight of the story to unfold naturally. The use of handheld Super 8 footage, shot by the Paiva’s eldest daughter, brings an intimate, nostalgic texture to the film, making each family moment feel personal and poignant. The soundtrack, featuring music from Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Warren Ellis, further enhances the film’s atmosphere, blending the warmth of family memories with the underlying melancholy of loss.
I'm Still Here is a film about resilience, memory, and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming injustice. By focusing on the personal rather than the political, Salles creates a universal story of love, loss, and survival that transcends its historical context. It’s a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, reminding us of the importance of remembering those who suffered and resisted, and the power of stories to keep their legacies alive.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“We’ll smile.”
Walter Salles’ I'm Still Here is a deeply emotional and powerful return to form for the celebrated Brazilian director, offering a poignant exploration of family, resilience, and the devastating effects of political repression. Based on the real-life story of Eunice Paiva, the film captures the heartache of a woman whose life is upended by the disappearance of her husband during Brazil's military dictatorship. With rich performances, particularly from Fernanda Torres, and a sensitive portrayal of both personal and historical trauma, I'm Still Here becomes a story not just about survival, but about the quiet courage it takes to fight for justice.
From the opening scene, where Eunice floats peacefully in the ocean under a clear sky, Salles sets the stage for a tale of contrast. The film beautifully juxtaposes the simplicity of family life with the growing tension of living under an authoritarian regime. The Paiva family, with their joyful moments of togetherness, gradually feels the suffocating grip of the dictatorship, and Salles masterfully captures this shift in tone. The symbolic transformation of the family home, from a lively, open space to one marked by fear and silence, adds layers of emotional depth to the narrative.
Fernanda Torres delivers an extraordinary performance as Eunice, carrying the film with her quiet strength and vulnerability. She portrays a woman whose life is shattered by her husband’s forced disappearance, yet she finds the courage to carry on for the sake of her children. Torres’ nuanced portrayal of grief, determination, and the toll of an unyielding quest for answers anchors the film, making Eunice's journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. It’s a performance that feels lived-in and authentic, ensuring the audience is deeply invested in her story from beginning to end.
Salles’ direction is both subtle and evocative, avoiding melodrama while allowing the emotional weight of the story to unfold naturally. The use of handheld Super 8 footage, shot by the Paiva’s eldest daughter, brings an intimate, nostalgic texture to the film, making each family moment feel personal and poignant. The soundtrack, featuring music from Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Warren Ellis, further enhances the film’s atmosphere, blending the warmth of family memories with the underlying melancholy of loss.
I'm Still Here is a film about resilience, memory, and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming injustice. By focusing on the personal rather than the political, Salles creates a universal story of love, loss, and survival that transcends its historical context. It’s a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, reminding us of the importance of remembering those who suffered and resisted, and the power of stories to keep their legacies alive.
