I went to the Odeon cinema in Wimbledon to see “I’m Still Here”.
The film is set in 1970s Brazil during the military dictatorship.
The larger-than-life family-man and affable ex-congressman Rubens Paiva simply “vanishes”. Against the subplot of communist-terrorism against the military-rule, Rubens Paiva is implicated.
His wife Eunice is played by the spellbinding Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres. She is incredible. I think it’s hard for any actor to capture vulnerability, helplessness and terror. If you have tears, be prepared to shed a few. Her life is torn-apart. She is devastated and terrified; but, at the same time, she has to be strong for her 5 children.
And, so, how do you raise a family (with some semblance of normality) against the terror of faceless evil-doers in uniform.
The movie is filled with an ominous heavy absence. It also exhibits the psychological toll of not knowing what happened to the “disappeared”.
I can’t recommend it enough.
★★★★★ 5/5
It's good you enjoyed it, and it looks and sound a nice movie.
ReplyDeleteVery intense, emotional and moving.
ReplyDeleteYour timing is magical!
ReplyDeleteI was talking about my Brasilian friends today who I met in the mid 1960s. They were the most beautiful and educated people I had ever met but in the 1970s I knew they would leave as soon as they could. Their parents were devastated but Brasil had turned into a dictatorship.
I won't have enough tears.
I haven't seen it but now I want to.
ReplyDeleteAnd people who oppose oppressive governments are still mysteriously disappearing or dying....
ReplyDelete