Sometimes a film is so powerful and historically significant that it brings the past and present together. One of these movies is I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) the well-known political drama from 2024 directed by—Walter Salles. This film is a masterpiece that shows the scary events of Brazil’s military dictatorship and one family’s never-ending fight for the truth. Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro play lead roles in the cast. Is this sad story based on real events, though? There is no doubt that the answer is yes, and the story behind the movie is just as scary and moving as the movie itself.
I’m Still Here Summary Plot
In I’m Still Here, the story takes place in Brazil during the harsh years of the military dictatorship in the 1970s. It is about Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello), a former congressman and engineer, and his wife Eunice (Fernanda Torres ). The couple raises their five kids in a beautiful home near Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro, while trying to keep things somewhat normal even though political tensions are rising. After going into self-exile for six years after the 1964 coup d’état, Rubens comes back and quietly goes back to work while also helping expats who are in danger from the regime. Even though he is very careful to keep quiet, the storm of political unrest catches up with him.
When far-left revolutionary groups kidnap a Swiss ambassador, the military cracks down hard. In January 1971, there was a raid on the Paiva home that led to Rubens’ arrest and subsequent disappearance. Eunice goes on a dangerous and public search for answers, and for her bravery, terrible things happen. She is jailed, tortured for 12 days, and separated from her teenage daughter Eliana, who is jailed for a short time but soon gets out. Rubens’ fate is kept secret by the regime, and his body is never found. This makes their pain even worse.
In 1996, many years later, Eunice gets official confirmation that Rubens has died, but justice is still hard to find. Eunice is 85 years old (Fernanda Montenegro) and has Alzheimer’s disease by 2014. She only briefly remembers the scary events in her life. In the last few minutes of the movie, Eunice is with her family watching a report about Brazil’s National Truth Commission. In it, Rubens’ murder is finally admitted and five people are named as responsible. Even though they admitted it, none of them are being charged. The story ends with Eunice’s legacy as a leader in the fight for human rights and Indigenous rights, which has left a deep mark on her family and on the world.
Is “I’m Still Here” based on real events?
Based on the life of Eunice Paiva and her family, Yes, I’m Still Here is based on a lot of real events. The screenplay was written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega. It is based on Eunice’s son, the famous Brazilian author Marcelo Rubens Paiva, memoir Ainda Estou Aqui. His book is a moving look into the history of his family and Brazil’s dark past. It was written as Eunice’s Alzheimer’s disease started to get worse. The movie shows both the personal pain of one family and the collective trauma of a country that is run by a dictator.
The Real-Life Figures Behind the Story
Rubens Paiva was a congressman who became a symbol of the fight against Brazil’s military government. He was arrested in 1971 and then disappeared soon after. Later, it came out that he had been tortured and killed at the DOI-CODI headquarters, which was a notorious place for violating human rights during the dictatorship. His body was never found.
She was brave in the face of unimaginable hardships, and that made her a national hero. After Rubens went missing, she became one of Brazil’s most important voices for justice and fought for human rights and Indigenous causes. She finished law school when she was 48 years old and went on to work for the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the UN. At the age of 89, she died in 2018. She left behind a legacy of strength and activism.
Life Story of Marcelo Paiva
As Marcelo Paiva’s mother’s memories started to fade, he wrote the heartfelt memoir Ainda Estou Aqui in 2015. He wanted to keep his family’s history alive. The book talks about Eunice’s life, what happened to Rubens, and how Brazil is dealing with the terrible things that happened during the dictatorship. Marcelo talked about how his mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s was like the country’s collective forgetfulness about its dark past.
“I realized that my mother was losing her memory while Brazil was discussing its own memory,” he told TIME in an interview. “It was a very weird parallel and paradox to write about.
Historical Background
Brazil was run by the military from 1964 to 1985—a time when many people’s rights were violated. For speaking out against the regime, thousands of people were jailed, raped and killed. The name Rubens Paiva was among the 434 confirmed victims. A lot more people were tortured. Even though a lot of time has passed, many of the people who did these horrible things were never held responsible. This is still a problem in Brazilian society.
In 2014, the National Truth Commission was established, which was a big step toward dealing with these crimes. The commission’s report confirmed that Rubens Paiva was killed and named the people who did it. However, the fact that no one was charged with a crime showed how hard it is to get justice in Brazil after a dictatorship.
The Film’s Impact
I’m Still Here has become a cultural phenomenon in Brazil since it came out. It has caused people to talk about the country’s history and the dangers of political extremism again. The movie directed by Walter Salles—who is known for hit movies like “The Motorcycle Diaries” shows how complicated the Paiva family’s story is on an emotional and political level. People have said that Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro, who played Eunice and her older sister, gave powerful performances. Torres won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role. She was the first Brazilian actress to win the award.
The movie came out at the same time that some troubling political events were happening in Brazil. Far-right supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro planned a coup against the newly elected government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, according to a police report. This is eerily similar to what happens in the movie. “At the start of this journey, I thought we would look back at the past to get a better sense of where we are now,” Salles told TIME. “But as the mood in Brazil changed over time, it became clear that the movie was also about the present.”
Through the lens of Eunice Paiva’s life, I’m Still Here offers an unflinching look at the personal cost of political repression. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of memory and justice. Eunice’s tireless advocacy and her family’s resilience in the face of tragedy have left an indelible mark on Brazil’s history. Like the book it was based on, the movie makes sure that their story and the lessons it holds will not be forgotten.
I’m Still Here is both a cautionary tale and a sign of hope in a world that often feels like democracy is in danger. By reminding us of the painful truths of the past—it pushes us to protect justice and humanity in the present.
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