I’m Still Here is a quiet, intense, and moving political and family drama that should serve as a cautionary tale about dictatorship, authoritarianism, complicity, and resistance. It’s based on the true story of the shocking disappearance of civil engineer and dissident politician Rubens Paiva in the early 1970s, when Brazil was under a military dictatorship (1964-1985). Paiva was one of many people arrested, kidnapped or who simply vanished for allegedly being part of the resistance. The film, in Portuguese with English subtitles, is Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Best International Feature, and Best Actress for Fernanda Torres who plays Rubens’ wife Eunice with raw power and authenticity.

As the film begins, we get a glimpse of Rubens, Eunice and their five children living a seemingly idyllic life in a rented house near the beach. Their door is always open to friends and family for good food and lively discussions. But there’s a constant undercurrent of tension and fear brought on by the machinations of the military dictatorship.

One night, Rubens is led away from the home by armed men. The rest of the story unfolds primarily from Eunice’s perspective as she struggles to find out what happened to her husband while also keeping the family together and safe. A precarious endeavor.

I’m Still Here is based on a book by the couple’s son Marcelo and is directed by Walter Salles, a longtime friend of the Paivas family. In a statement in the press notes for the film, Salles talks of an urgency for telling the story so the past doesn’t repeat itself— in Brazil or elsewhere in the world where new forms of authoritarianism are taking shape. Depending on what is happening in the world (and close to home) when Academy members are casting their votes, the film could edge out Emilia Perez for Best International feature film. It’s a tight race but I do think they are the front-runners.

Interesting side note: Fernanda Torres’ mother, award-winning actress Fernanda Montenegro, plays an older version of Eunice in a post-script of sorts toward the end of the film.

I’m Still Here is playing in select theaters.

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