On the day when Oscar nominations were announced, one unexpected inclusion that caught the attention of awards enthusiasts and experts was the Brazilian drama “I’m Still Here” among the 10 best picture contenders. The lead actress, Fernanda Torres, leveraged her Golden Globe victory to secure a nomination, while the film also made it into the international feature category.
However unexpected was the third and last nomination, marking it as only the 11th non-English language film to be nominated in the top category, this miraculous nod is but a testament to the profound impact of the movie.
Although the third nomination, which made it one of just 11 non-English movies nominated in the top category, was highly improbable, its nomination itself serves as proof of the film’s immense power.
In my perspective as a movie reviewer, this captivating film unfolds the real-life tale of the Paiva family, centering around Rubens, portrayed remarkably by Selton Mello, who mysteriously vanishes at the hands of the nation’s military during the turbulent early 1970s. His wife Eunice, played by Torres, endures arrest and brutal interrogation, only to emerge and tirelessly seek answers regarding Rubens’ whereabouts while safeguarding the liberty of their five offspring. The film’s masterfully crafted screenplay is inspired by the account penned by their son Marcelo, brilliantly embodied in this production by Guilherme Silveira and Antonio Saboia.
In essence, my tale is not solely centered on that chilling event, but rather on Eunice and her family’s journey towards healing and resilience during Brazil’s military dictatorship and beyond. As the title suggests, it delves into the art and morality of endurance: keeping memories vibrant, safeguarding history, relentlessly seeking truth amidst deliberate suppression.
As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by this film, despite its heavy subject matter and nail-biting midsection that mirrors real-life trauma. What truly sets it apart, however, is the profound sense of intimacy it manages to evoke amidst grand political narratives – a quality that’s all too often missing in such productions. The opening 30 minutes or so (a compelling and hard-earned 136 minutes in total) delves into the daily life of the Paiva family as they prepare for Rubens’s arrest, offering a personal touch to an otherwise sweeping historical account.
Skilled filmmaker Walter Salles meticulously portrays the interactions within a cozy, affectionate middle-class family and their assorted visitors at their seaside residence in Rio de Janeiro. The narrative flow is relaxed yet not sluggish, and subtle hints of Rubens’ quiet rebellion against the dictatorship are subtly incorporated without creating an undue sense of foreboding. The ensemble acting feels authentic, mirroring the understated period aesthetic of the film. Essentially, this movie exhibits a vibrant energy while seeming almost effortlessly free from the historical significance it carries.
The film’s subtle handling of its themes, particularly the clever use of 16mm “home movie” scenes, creates a profound impact for “I’m Still Here.” Often, historical films can feel detached, but Salles’s drama skillfully avoids the idea that such events could never occur in our reality, even though it takes place half a century ago.
The movie concludes its story squarely in the present day, using a poignant final scene set in 2014 that depicts an elderly Eunice, living with her family but suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, played by Torres’ mother and renowned actress Fernanda Montenegro. In this part of the film, Eunice – who passed away in 2018 – serves as a powerful symbol of the interconnection between political activism, historical remembrance, and the value of family.
- Download the TopMob app for more Oscars 2025 coverage – including interviews with the stars and exclusive features.
In the closing scenes of the movie, Montenegro’s calm demeanor stands out strikingly against Torres’s nuanced portrayal of quiet resilience and unwavering fortitude throughout. This contrast contributes to a portrait that goes beyond mere biographical reconstruction, striving instead for something significant, relatable, and, in the context of our current challenging global political landscape, heroic all at once.
I strive to emulate the engaging, thought-provoking, and unpretentious approach that the most outstanding Best Picture recipients take when tackling genuine problems and concepts. This style is both stimulating and alive in its delivery.
Unlike the superficially witty Conclave and Emilia Pérez, a victory for I’m Still Here signifies an Academy that’s open to engaging with something genuinely meaningful. Unlike movies like Wicked: Part I, Dune: Part Two or even A Complete Unknown – the Bob Dylan biopic, its win wouldn’t merely serve as a tedious and unnecessary boost for well-entrenched studio favorites. And if it managed to outshine films such as Anora, The Brutalist, and The Substance in the awards race, it would be due to its superior quality, not just clever marketing strategies (though these films may very well be exceptional in their own right).
The “for your vote” promotion for the movie “I’m Still Here” initially emphasized Torres’s acting; it’s inspiring to see that numerous viewers appeared to naturally develop an affection for and support the film in the Best Picture category, showcasing a seldom-seen phenomenon in today’s awards season: a genuine groundswell of public support.
Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025
Currently, UK cinemas are experiencing a surge of excitement as blockbusters like Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist, and an anticipated sequel, Moana 2, are causing quite a stir.
Save up to 30% with Vue Pass
Read More
- How to watch A Complete Unknown – is it streaming?
- USD VES PREDICTION
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- INJ PREDICTION. INJ cryptocurrency
- USD MXN PREDICTION
- COW PREDICTION. COW cryptocurrency
- EUR HUF PREDICTION
- FIL PREDICTION. FIL cryptocurrency
- RLC PREDICTION. RLC cryptocurrency
- OM PREDICTION. OM cryptocurrency
2025-02-28 19:04