Review 745: I'm Still Here

 

Based on the memoir I'm Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) by Marcelo Rubens Paiva; In December 1970, Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) and her husband activist Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) live in idylic Lelbon Beach, Brazil with their five children after he has returned from a self-imposed exile due to the 1964 coup. One day, the police turn up on his doorstep to take him away for a deposition 

Watching this film, you get the sense that this normal family life is going on set against the backdrop of a Dictatorship.

The film features an excellent soundtrack by Warren Ellis  the cinematography is gorgeous and captures the sunsoaked atmosphere of Brazil.  with beautifully executed hand held camera work that gives the film a beautiful documentry like feel and gives you the sense that your stearing back in time into a persons domestic life. The production design is splendid, depicting the Paiva household and recreating 70s Brazil with

Fernanda Torres is a fabulous actress with an intensely watchable face and a fiercely commanding screen prensence. Eunice is moved into action by the search of what has happened to Rubens.