An Oscar-Worthy Story:
I’m a young Brazilian woman. I didn’t live through the years of the military dictatorship, but I grew up with its vestiges. I heard stories about a time of enforced silence, a time when fear held a tight grip on our country. Walter Salles’s film, “I’m Still Here,” based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s powerful book, makes this past feel incredibly present. It gives my generation a deep understanding of what it means to live under oppression.
This film isn’t just a historical biography, it’s a deeply personal story of love, loss, and strength. It shines a light on the many families torn apart by the regime, symbolized by the disappearance of Congressman Rubens Paiva. Fernanda Torres’s representation of Eunice, his wife, is nothing short of remarkable. She represents the strength and courageous determination of a woman who refuses to let her husband be forgotten.
“I’m Still Here” has reached audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and prestigious nominations, including a Golden Globe for Fernanda Torres and a submission for the 2025 Academy Awards. As Brazilians, we are incredibly proud of this film’s success. We are all rooting for it to bring home the Oscar, not just for the recognition it would bring to our cinema, but for the spotlight it would shine on our history.
This film is a powerful reminder that we cannot afford to forget the past. “I’m Still Here” is a reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit and a call to protect the democratic values we hold firmly. It’s a Brazilian story, yes, but its themes of love, loss, and the fight for justice are universal. And as a young Brazilian, I believe it’s a story that needs to be told, and retold, for generations to come.