By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Since its world premiere at the
81st Venice International Film Festival this past September, the biographical political drama
"I'm Still Here" has become a standout on the awards circuit.
Directed by
Walter Salles ("The Man in the Rockefeller Suit") and based on
Marcelo Rubens Paiva's 2015 memoir of the same name, the film, adapted by
Murilo Hauser ("Mariner of the Mountains") and
Heitor Lorega ("Mariner of the Mountains") was named one of the Top Five International Films of 2024 by the
National Board of Review.
At the recent
82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, "I'm Still Here" lead star
Fernanda Torres won
"Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama)," further solidifying the film's critical acclaim. Additionally, "I'm Still Here" is nominated for
"Best Foreign Language Film" at the
30th Annual Critics Choice Awards, which will air live on
E! Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The ceremony will also be available for streaming the next day on
Peacock.
On top of that, "I'm Still Here" garnered nominations from the upcoming
97th Annual Academy Awards for
"Best International Feature Film," "Best Actress" (Torres), and "Best Picture," making history as the first Brazilian-produced film to receive a nomination in the prestigious "Best Picture" category.
The Oscars will air live on
ABC March 2 from the
Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Set in 1970s Rio de Janeiro, "I'm Still Here" tells the heartbreaking story of the Paiva family, torn apart by political corruption and the Brazilian military dictatorship.
When Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello, “A Dog's Will 2"), a former congressman and member of the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB), is forcibly taken from his home, his wife Eunice (Fernanda Torres, TV's "Fim") is left in the dark, unable to learn his fate. As days turn into weeks and months, Eunice and their five children endure constant surveillance and growing uncertainty, while their lives are further upended by Eunice’s own imprisonment and brutal interrogation. As Eunice's search for the truth deepens, her emotional journey unfolds, showcasing her unwavering resolve to uncover what happened to her husband.
Torres' performance embodies the pain, strength, and hope of a mother and wife torn by loss. The film poignantly contrasts Eunice's earlier, happier days with Rubens, using archival footage to underscore their once-joyful family life.
As Eunice ages, Torres is joined by her real-life 95-year-old mother,
Fernanda Montenegro, who portrays the older version of Eunice with a quiet, sorrowful strength. Interestingly, Montenegro, was nominated for an
Academy Award in 1999 for "Best Actress" for her performance in the Portuguese road drama,
"Central Station/Central do Brasil."
I'm Still Here" is a thought-provoking film. It explores the devastating impact of political violence on individuals and families and offers a raw and emotional portrayal of determination, love, and the unrelenting pursuit of justice in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"I'M STILL HERE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.