In the sun-drenched metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, there lives a liberal middle-class family called the Paiva family. They are frequently spotted laughing, singing, and playing volleyball by the shore, just like most content families. But these are early 1970s Brazil when martial law was in effect and anyone suspected of being suspicious might be detained without cause. Upon taking a group shot on the beach with their five children, the Paiva family (father, mother, and siblings) marks the end of an era.
The family’s happiness may be overemphasized by director Walter Salles, who also makes a point of showcasing the sunshine, which makes the rain’s eventual coldness seem even more acute. It is only fitting that Brazilian director Salles, who grew up with the Paiva family, would give their narrative a poignant touch. Even yet, “I’m Still Here”—which should not be mistaken with the parody Joaquin Phoenix documentary of the same name—continues to be a somber and poignant story about the nation’s missing residents. Interestingly, Salles hasn’t directed a dramatic feature since “On the Road” in 2012. Maybe not as much as some others, but yet, he has been missed terribly.
Initially, Brazilian actor Selton Mello plays the lead role of former Labour Party congressman Rubens Paiva, who is involved in the underground resistance and is responsible for setting up safe homes and providing information to international media. Though everyone is suspicious and terror reigns supreme in the nation, his actions are not particularly noteworthy. The Paiva family is thinking about leaving the nation, but is this the right move, and for what purpose? According to Rubens, this storm will probably pass.
The pivotal scene of the kidnapping masterfully demonstrates how horror can permeate every facet of daily existence—not like a monster from a B-movie, but rather slinking in gently, almost humbly. Three criminals wait in the kitchen, clueless about what to do, while the gullible kids keep running up and down the stairs. They clarify that Rubens will only be questioned for a few hours at most. Fernanda Torres plays Eunice, Rubens’ wife, who inquires about their food intake.
It’s Eunice’s turn to speak up after Rubens is removed for interrogation. In her role as the Paiva family’s “Mother Courage,” Torres gives an outstanding, multi-layered performance. She battles to maintain the household while persistently demanding her husband’s return or, at the very least, an official declaration of his death. The drama does lose some of its energy and structure in the second half, but that’s not Torres’ fault; it’s hard to keep the audience interested when there’s a cliffhanger, and hard to construct a tale without one. However, it could be in this situation that Salles’s close relationship with the Paiva family pays off. Because of his real concern for these folks, we are also moved to feel the same way.
Inspired by the book written by Marcelo, the son of Rubens and Eunice, “I’m Still Here” opens with scenes of army trucks and checkpoints before following this unfortunate family over the years to a poignant and beautiful ending in 2014. In addition to getting together for pictures, the Paiva family is still looking for joy wherever they can. They can’t help but giggle when a visiting photographer asks them to pose for a picture in a dejected manner. In Salles’s flawed, limited picture, we learn that happiness is a constant, hope never goes away, and most happy families manage to make it through.
