A film that was set in a foreign land against the backdrop of a turbulent period in its history, one that has you immersed into a true story of resilience and strength.

 

*Rio de Janeiro, 1971.* Bathed in the relentless warmth of the tropical sun, Eunice Paiva’s family seems to live in a dream - A beachfront home, a loving marriage, five children full of life, a playful puppy, and constant hum of laughter and chatter mingling with the aromas from the kitchen, where the maid prepares a meal to gather the family around. As the film immerses us in their everyday world, we find ourselves emotionally drawn to the Paivas.

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Despite the distance, different language, and historical context, their lives feel close to our own, and we can’t help but care deeply for them. Then, without warning, tragedy strikes.

 

Under Brazil’s brutal military dictatorship, Eunice’s husband Reuben, a former left-wing congressman, is taken away, disappearing into the unknown. Left alone with their five children, Eunice faces the overwhelming challenge of navigating life without him.

 

The emotional weight of her ordeal is felt in every frame as she is left in a perpetual state of uncertainty, unsure whether Reuben will ever return. This grief eventually evolves into an “eternal psychological torture,” as she would describe years later.

 

The film skillfully portrays Eunice’s quiet suffering and the profound loss she endures, often with little spoken, yet conveyed with great emotional depth: As Reuben’s fate slowly unravels, Eunice, with her fierce maternal instinct, shields her children from the brutal truth, resolutely attempting to maintain some semblance of normality in their lives.

 

Her silent endurance and grace in the face of unspeakable pain amplify the grief that's felt through the screen, drawing us deeply into her sorrow. Following Eunice’s journey, I'm Still Here is more than just a portrayal of a woman’s grief. It powerfully unveils the broader human cost of the military dictatorship—the pervasive terror that tore through everyday lives, the lives shattered, and the psychological scars that lingered for generations.

 

This anguish is profound, but so is the resilience and love that sustains. A mother’s strength, a wife’s undying love, and an individual’s unwavering commitment to dignity and truth, even in the face of fear and insurmountable power of injustice.

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I'm Still Here Is a powerful exploration of strength, love and commitment in the face of injustice.

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