38/16
Eunice Paiva: Martha, you have to help me
Tale
A mother is forced to reinvent herself when her family’s life is destroyed by arbitrary violence during the tightening grip of Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1971. Selected by the Brazilian Film Academy for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars.
My husband is in danger!
Martha: Everyone is in danger, Eunice.. Appears in Mais Você: Episode dated December 3, 2024 (2024).
A Festa do Santo Reis Written by Léo Maia (as Marcio Leonardo) Starring Tim Maia
Adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s novel “I’m Still Here”; it actually enhances the book by focusing on the Paiva family and how each member was surprised and heartbroken by the disappearance of their father (played with deep affection by Selton Mello). Anchored by a powerful performance by Fernanda Torres as the matriarch Eunice, the film tells the horrors of the Brazilian dictatorship without being preachy or heavy-handed.
She is convincing and moving without ever being melodramatic, in a masterpiece
By focusing on the human aspects and the sense of loss of those who never received answers about the disappearance of their loved ones, the script becomes increasingly powerful. All the performances by the young actors are top-notch – a rare feat in Brazilian cinema – but it is Fernanda Torres’ incredibly restrained performance that really sticks with you.
"I am still here" is a film to be cherished and held
This is the best Brazilian film in years, a gift from director Walter Salles ("Central Station"). Pay attention to the brief but powerful cameo by Fernanda Montenegro (Oscar nominee for "Central Station") at the very end.