I'm Still Here (2024 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids I'm Still Here |
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Brazilian theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Walter Salles |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Music by | Warren Ellis |
| Cinematography | Adrian Teijido |
| Editing by | Affonso Gonçalves |
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| Release date(s) | 1 September 2024 (Venice) 7 November 2024 (Brazil) 15 January 2025 (France) |
| Running time | 138 minutes |
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| Language | Portuguese |
| Budget | R$8 million (US$1.48 million) |
| Money made | US$29.9 million |
I'm Still Here (which means Ainda Estou Aqui in Portuguese) is a 2024 Brazilian-French movie. It's a biographical drama about real people and events. The film was directed by Walter Salles.
The story is based on a book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva. It tells the true story of Eunice Paiva, a brave mother and activist. She had to deal with her husband, Rubens Paiva, disappearing during a time when Brazil was under a military government. During this time, the military controlled the country and people had fewer freedoms.
The movie was very popular in Brazil. It earned a lot of money and became the highest-grossing Brazilian film since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film first showed at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024. People loved it, especially Fernanda Torres's acting. The movie won an award for its amazing story (Best Screenplay). It was also named one of the top international films of 2024. At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, Fernanda Torres won the award for Best Actress. The film was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and BAFTA. It even won the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, making it the first Brazilian film to win an Oscar!
Contents
The Story of I'm Still Here
A Family's Life in 1970s Brazil
The movie begins in 1970. Rubens Paiva, a former politician, returns to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He had been away for six years after the military government took power in 1964. Rubens lives in a beautiful house near Leblon beach with his wife, Eunice, and their five children. He works in his old job but also secretly helps people who had to leave the country. He doesn't talk about these activities with his family to keep them safe.
A Time of Trouble
Brazil faces a difficult time with political unrest. In January 1971, military officers raid Rubens Paiva's house. They arrest him, and he disappears. Eunice tries to find out what happened to him, but her public questions lead to her own arrest for 12 days. Their teenage daughter, Eliana, is also held for a day. After friends and family speak out, Eunice is quietly told what happened to Rubens.
Years Later: Remembering the Past
Twenty-five years later, in 1996, Brazil is a democracy again. Eunice finally receives an official document saying Rubens Paiva has died. In 2014, Eunice is 85 years old and has Alzheimer's disease. During a family gathering, a news report talks about the National Truth Commission. This commission investigated human rights abuses during the military government. When Rubens's case is mentioned, Eunice seems to remember her painful past.
The movie ends by explaining that Rubens Paiva was sadly killed while he was held by the military. Five people were identified as responsible, but they were never punished. Eunice went to law school when she was 48. She became an expert on the rights of Indigenous people and worked for the Brazilian government and the United Nations. She passed away in 2018 at 89 years old.
Meet the Cast
This film features many talented actors:
- Fernanda Torres plays Eunice Paiva when she is younger.
- Fernanda Montenegro plays Eunice Paiva when she is older.
- Selton Mello plays Rubens Paiva.
- Guilherme Silveira plays Marcelo Rubens Paiva as a child.
- Antonio Saboia plays Marcelo Rubens Paiva as an adult.
- Valentina Herszage plays Vera Paiva as a child.
- Maria Manoella plays Vera Paiva as an adult.
- Luiza Kosovski plays Eliana Paiva as a child.
- Marjorie Estiano plays Eliana Paiva as an adult.
- Barbara Luz plays Nalu Paiva as a child.
- Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha plays Nalu Paiva as an adult.
- Cora Mora plays Maria Beatriz Facciolla Paiva as a child.
- Olívia Torres plays Maria Beatriz Facciolla Paiva as an adult.
- Pri Helena plays Maria José (Zezé).
- Humberto Carrão plays Félix.
- Maeve Jinkings plays Dalva Gasparian.
- Caio Horowicz plays Ricardo Gomes Pimpão.
- Camila Márdila plays Dalal Achcar.
- Charles Fricks plays Fernando Gasparian.
- Luana Nastas plays Helena Gasparian.
- Isadora Ruppert plays Laura Gasparian.
- Daniel Dantas plays Raul Ryff.
- Maitê Padilha plays Cristina.
- Carla Ribas plays Martha.
- Dan Stulbach plays Bocaiuva Cunha.
How the Film Was Made
Writing the Story
The movie's story was written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega. They based it on the book Ainda Estou Aqui by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, who is Eunice's son.
Filming Locations and Companies
Filming for I'm Still Here started in June 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many companies worked together to produce the film, including RT Features, VideoFilmes, Globoplay, Mact Productions, Conspiração Filmes, and Arte France Cinéma.
Releasing the Film
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In May 2024, a company called Sony Pictures Classics bought the rights to show I'm Still Here in many parts of the world, including North America, the Middle East, and Australia.
The movie first premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024. It received a very long standing ovation, meaning the audience clapped for over 10 minutes! It was also shown at other big film festivals like Toronto, New York, and London.
To be considered for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, the movie had a special limited showing in the Brazilian city of Salvador in September 2024. Then, it was released all over Brazil on November 7, 2024.
I'm Still Here was released in France on January 15, 2025. In the United States, it had a short showing in November 2024 to qualify for awards. It then had a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles on January 17, 2025, before being shown in more cities later.
See also
In Spanish: Aún estoy aquí (película de 2024) para niños
