I’M STILL HERE Film Review – An Unflinching Performance from Fernanda Torres

I’m Still Here has quietly emerged as one of the year’s most remarkable finds – a film that faced an uphill climb but now stands firmly in the spotlight, and rightly so. Directed by Walter Salles (Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries), this adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir (brought to life by screenwriters Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega) is an intimate, unflinching exploration of family, resilience, and the potent pull of home.

I’m Still Here surprised many by receiving three Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best International Feature, and Best Actress for Fernanda Torres) and has a real shot of bringing home two of those for Brazil.

**All Best Picture Nominees Ranked**

The Dissonant Cinematography in I’m Still Here

The opening frames of I’m Still Here feel almost dreamlike: gentle waves rolling in, and Fernanda Torres (as Eunice Paiva) floating in the sea. But then we hear it – the sudden roar of military helicopters – and just like that, any sense of calm is shattered. It’s that clash between serenity and dread that sets the tone for the entire film. This tension is mirrored through the visual choices of Salles and his cinematographer, Adrian Teijido. We get these glowing, sun-soaked beaches of Rio, all radiant oranges, almost creating a sense of perpetual sunset, before the film inevitably moves us into ominous interrogation rooms with only small slivers of light. It’s a deliberate, haunting reminder of how quickly peace can be swallowed by those who wish to threaten it.

Beyond just the effective use of colour and light, one of the film’s greatest strengths lies in Walter Salles’ decision to shoot on multiple film stocks. Whenever the daughter is off with her friends, starting out in her own world, we see this grainy Super 16mm footage. There’s an almost “restless” energy to it that perfectly captures her freneticism and desire to explore. Then, we switch to 35mm for the quieter moments at home, giving everything a warmer, almost lived-in look.

I’m Still Here Lulls You Into a False Sense of Comfort

As such, this cinematography supports the family dynamic we see on screen, which in I’m Still Here is one of the most genuine familial depictions I’ve seen on screen in some time. Fernanda Torres, of course, plays Eunice, with Selton Mello as Rubens, but there are truly no “weak links” in this family. Each and every member seems to fit within the broader unit, and the performances from even our youngest actors don’t feel forced or unnatural. Toss in a 60s folk-rock soundtrack in our first act, headlined by a few Beatles tracks, and you can’t help but get lulled into a false sense of nostalgic comfort.

From the outset, there’s an unshakable sense of impending doom – the relentless overhead choppers, the military trucks clogging the streets, the midnight calls with hushed whispers. It all culminates when the father is taken, and not long after, Eunice and one of their children are forced out as well. We follow Torres as her character is locked in a suffocating interrogation cell with minimal light. At this point, all we can hear are desperate screams coming from who-knows-where, and in one of the most unsettling moments, we are given no choice but to listen as someone is savagely beaten for daring to sing.

The Best Actress Race and Fernanda Montenegro Playing An Older Version of Torres

If you’ve been following awards season chatter, you’ve probably heard people sing praises for Fernanda Torres—and all of it is justified. It’s a tough category this year (with Demi Moore and Mikey Madison deserving in their own right), but watching her take home that Best Actress trophy would be something truly special – even more so for Brazil.

Skipping over specifics (no spoilers here), the story takes a leap in time in its final act, showing us Eunice as an older woman. Initially, I found myself thinking, “Wow – the makeup work is superb”, until I realized it was actually Torres’s mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who stepped in to play an older Eunice. This makes sense on so many levels, given Montenegro’s previous work with Salles in Central Station. Beyond the power of this familial connection on face value, Torres has spoken about how these final moments also reinforce the power (and importance) of memory and connection to the past, particularly at a time when certain far-right groups in Brazil are attempting to erase the history that does not align with their views of the world.

Ultimately, I’m Still Here champions the power of sacrifice and familial love while shedding light on a painful piece of Brazilian history. Let’s go Torres – it’s your time.

I’m Still Here Trailer

Who is the Director?

I’m Still Here (Portuguese: Ainda Estou Aqui) is directed by Walter Salles, the Brazilian filmmaker known for Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries.

What Is I’m Still Here About?

This film centers on Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres / Fernanda Montenegro) as she fights to uncover the truth behind her husband’s forced disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir, it explores family resilience and the struggle for justice in a turbulent era.

Who Stars in I’m Still Here?

Fernanda Torres plays the younger Eunice, while her real-life mother Fernanda Montenegro portrays Eunice in later years. Selton Mello takes on the role of Rubens Paiva, and the cast also includes Guilherme Silveira, Antonio Saboia, Valentina Herszage, and Marjorie Estiano, among others.

Is It Based on a True Story?

Yes. The film is adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, Ainda Estou Aqui. It recounts the real-life ordeal of Eunice and her family following her husband’s disappearance under Brazil’s military rule. Despite some dramatizations, the narrative is rooted in true events.

Is I’m Still Here Nominated at the Academy Awards?

At the 97th Academy Awards, I’m Still Here made history as the first Brazilian-produced film nominated for Best Picture. It also received nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Actress (Fernanda Torres).

When Is It Being Released?

After an initial limited release in New York and Los Angeles in late 2024, I’m Still Here expanded to theatres in the United States February 7 and to many countries in Europe and South America between February 6 and February 28. I’m Still Here is currently available for pre-order on Apple TV+.