Brazil’s violent military dictatorship that started in 1964 only came to an end in 1985 and during that time many citizens just ‘disappeared’ never to be seen again. The appeal for film makers to remake Back to the Future starring Meghan Markle is obvious but ‘I’m Still Here’ is the true life 1970 story of Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) wife of Rubens (Selton Mello) an architect and former congressman who has ‘disappeared’. Having lived in exile for six years after the Brazillian military coup he has returned and the family live near the idyllic Leblon beach with their five children.
But the reminder that that the dictatorship is never far away is clear with trucks of troops and military vehicles ever present whether it be on the road or flying overheard making what should be a kind of paradise more oppressive than impressive. It’s Ruben who covertly continues to take secret phone calls to pick up and drop off packages whilst in the background European ambassadors are in and out of police custody. It’s little wonder that his eldest daughter Vera (Valentina Herszage) becomes suspicious of the danger her father might be and Rubens sends her to university in Lindon to protect her. Eunice too is aware of what her husband might be doing but keeps her head down looking after the children and there’s a wonderful sense of family unity and domestic bliss for the younger children much of it captured in photographs and their 8mm home movies. But it’s the beginning of the end for Rubens when army officials turn up at their house to bring him in for questioning telling them it’s just for a few hours and the film takes an ominous turn when that’s the last they see of him.
I’m Still here follows Eunice’s turmoil and struggle to find out what’s happened and where her husband is – a quest that consumes the next 25 years of her life. Her explanation to the children that their father is ‘travelling’ can only hold out for so long and as the children grow up they begin to realise what might have really happened to their father. It’s a terrific performance from Fernanda Torres as Eunice trying to hold it together for the sake of her children as well as herself desperately trying to break through the obstacles put in her way by authorities.
Based on the book by Rubens & Eunice son Marcelo the film takes us right through to 1996 where their fathers whereabouts is resolved before the film takes us to an intimate and moving family gathering 2014 with the now elderly and frail Eunice who remains as defiant and positive for her family.
Directed by Walter Salles this is his first feature film since 2012 and continues his theme of people fighting through oppressive circumstances and keeping their humanity. I’m Still Here is up there with his best films, ‘Central Station’ and ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ and despite its downbeat story it remains resolutely positive by the end.
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Here’s the trailer for I’m Still Here…..
