• Release year: 2024
• Director: Walter Salles.
• Producers: Maria Carlota Bruno, Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre, and Rodrigo Teixeira.
• Screenplay by: Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega.
• Cinematography by: Adrian Teijido.
• Music by: Warren Ellis.

Shotgun Commentary: great reminder of why democracies are worth fighting for.

Review

I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) is the type of film you want all the delulu dictatorship-fans in your midst to watch. You might have seen the thousands of videos on socials featuring ex-MAGA supporters talking about how much they regret their vote. Some of them even claiming to have been misled or lied to, but the fact remains: they voted for a convicted felon, a rapist who not only confirmed the claims against him were true, but who actually bragged about them. So why the change of heart? It is not because they have realised that he is a monster, that was never in question, it is because they have realised that it affects them too.

Hard truths

The protagonist of this feature, Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) lives in the same fashion, looking the other way and praying that her family will never be at the end of the gun. The key difference is, she is living in a dictatorship she didn’t choose. Because living under an authoritarian regime, whether that is a dictatorship or an absolute monarchy, isn’t glamorous or comfortable. It is a terrifying nightmare where you spend every living second wishing it was over.

In a world where immature men with God-complexes get elected to run countries, this narrative feels more relevant than ever. This story, based on real-life facts that happened to real individuals, might just be the eye-opener some people need to realise what it is exactly that they are enabling.

Adapting real fact into a film isn’t easy. One can make it as accurate as possible, like September 5 (2024), or more dramatic and yassified, like Maria (2024), or downright subjective and surreal, like Better Man (2024). However, for such a tragic and serious matter, accuracy is the best policy, and the writers know it well. The plot follows the events as faithfully as possible, forgoing any pointless artistic licence and giving the spotlight in full to Eunice and her experience.

Vast talent

This focus is a great opportunity, but also a great responsibility, for Torres, who carries the weight of the narrative almost single-handedly. Eunice Paiva lived through a very cruel and complex moment in her country, from which she managed to come out as much of a victor as one can in her situation. Furthermore, she worked her whole life to make sure that other people wouldn’t have to go through what she had been. Those are huge shoes to fill, and Torres is the perfect choice for such a task.

There is one particular moment, when Paiva is detained and her daughter is mentioned, when Torres has such a visceral yet discreet reaction that you feel your heart break almost instantly. That moment is one of the best displays of acting talent of the decade, a scene that sticks with you whether you want it or not.

The tinted part of the world

The only questionable decision made for this feature is the yellow filter that covers the whole footage. Why is it that any country south of the US becomes yellow in films? Sure, summer scenes are understandably warmer, but the constant yellow filter throughout all the seasons and years depicted lowers the standards by which all the other departments are working. Only two scenes seem to be free from the clichéd look, and they are definitely not enough to make a difference.

All in all, I’m Still Here is a great film. Clichéd looks aside, the story is relevant and the subject fascinating. It is important to get more female stories out there, especially now that their existence is being erased from official websites that are supposed to hold historical archives of their work. After all, when history fails to keep record, what better way than to make a movie to remind everyone of the ignored characters and events?

Advice to take from this movie:

• Just because one evil decision doesn’t affect you at first, it doesn’t mean you won’t come to regret it later.
• Knowledge is the best weapon against tyrants.
• Countries don’t come with filters.

What’s your take? Have you watched I’m Still Here? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀