The film I'm still here by Walter Salles, retracing the quest for justice of a Brazilian family faced with the disappearance of a loved one under the military dictatorship (1964-1985), is a resounding success in Brazil and internationally. Winner of the Best Actress Award for Fernanda Torres at the Golden Globes, this feature film mixes emotion and historical memory, while arousing controversy in a country still marked by its authoritarian past.
A family drama at the heart of the story
Inspired by true events, I'm still here tells the story of Rubens Paiva, a former deputy accused of supporting the opposition to the dictatorship and who disappeared after his arrest in 1971. The film follows the fight of Eunice Paiva, masterfully played by Fernanda Torres, to discover the truth about her husband's fate. Through her eyes, Walter Salles explores universal themes such as mourning, resistance and the quest for justice, while offering a poignant portrait of this dark period in Brazilian history.
Fernanda Torres, who received an award for her performance, said: "This film allows Brazilians to reconnect with their history and rediscover their cultural pride, in a context where artists have often been marginalized." The feature film is part of the tradition of committed cinema by Walter Salles, already known for works such as Central do Brasil.
A success that divides Brazil
The film has met with notable enthusiasm in Brazilian cinemas, with screenings described as "World Cup finals" by the daily Folha de São Paulo. However, it has also rekindled political tensions. Brazil's far right, still marked by nostalgia for the junta, is sharply critical of the film. Figures such as Mário Frias, former Secretary of Culture under Jair Bolsonaro, have denounced what they see as an attempt to rewrite history.
An Oscar candidate and a duty to remember
Despite the controversies, I'm still here stands out as a milestone in contemporary Brazilian cinema. By blending collective memory and personal drama, Walter Salles recalls the unhealed wounds of dictatorship and questions how a country can come to terms with its past. In the running for an Oscar nomination, the film could further strengthen its international impact and continue to fuel the debate on memory and justice in Brazil.
