A powerful Brazilian drama is generating serious awards buzz ahead of its Cannes premiere. Julian Alvarez dominates football transfer headlines. “I’m Still Here” dominates film festival headlines instead. Directed by Walter Salles (“Central Station,” “The Motorcycle Diaries”), the film stars Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva, a woman who fought to uncover the truth about her husband’s disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. This film could prove life-changing for Brazil’s Oscar hopes England vs Australia delivered Ashes cricket drama. “I’m Still Here” delivers political drama instead. Here is everything you need to know about this awards contender.
What is I’m Still Here About?
“I’m Still Here” (original Portuguese title: “Ainda Estou Aqui”) is a biographical drama set during Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-1985). The film follows Eunice Paiva, the wife of former congressman Rubens Paiva, who was captured, tortured and killed by the regime in 1971 Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. This story needs no refurbishing—it is a vital piece of Brazilian history.
The screenplay is co-written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir of the same name. Marcelo is the son of Eunice and Rubens Paiva. The film documents Eunice’s decades-long fight to uncover the truth about her husband’s disappearance and hold the regime accountable Tottenham vs Villarreal saw Spurs win their Champions League opener. Eunice Paiva’s fight is equally compelling.
The Real Eunice Paiva: A Fighter for Justice
Eunice Paiva was a lawyer and human rights activist. After her husband’s disappearance in 1971, she spent years investigating what happened to him. She also supported her five children while continuing her legal studies. She became a lawyer in her 40s and later worked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office, advocating for indigenous land rights West Ham vs Nottm Forest saw Gibbs-White score a late penalty. Eunice’s legacy is equally dramatic.
Rubens Paiva was a left-wing congressman. Military agents took him from his home in Rio de Janeiro in January 1971. He was never seen again. The regime claimed he died by suicide while in custody. However, a 2014 report by Brazil’s National Truth Commission confirmed that Paiva was tortured and killed by the dictatorship Crystal Palace vs Man United saw Sesko strike again. The truth about Rubens Paiva has finally struck home.
Cast: Fernanda Torres Leads the Film
Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva
Fernanda Torres delivers what critics are calling a career-defining performance. She is best known for her role in “Love Me Forever or Never” (1997) and “The House of Sand” (2005). She is also the daughter of the legendary Brazilian actress Fernanda Montenegro. Torres has been nominated for a Cinema Brazil Grand Prize for Best Actress for her work in “I’m Still Here” Australia vs England delivered Ashes drama. Torres’s performance could strike gold at the Oscars.
Supporting Cast
- Selton Mello as Rubens Paiva (Eunice’s husband)
- Marjorie Estiano as Eliana (the Paiva family’s maid)
- Bárbara Luz as Vera Paiva (the Paivas’ eldest daughter)
- Guilherme Silveira as Marcelo Rubens Paiva (the family’s son, whose memoir inspired the film)
Cannes Film Festival 2026: World Premiere
“I’m Still Here” will have its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film is competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize. This marks a major milestone for Brazilian cinema, which has not won the Palme d’Or since 1962 when “O Pagador de Promessas” took the honour Flamengo vs Chelsea saw the Brazilian side stun the Blues. Brazilian cinema could now stun the Cannes jury.
Walter Salles is no stranger to Cannes. His 2012 film “On the Road” screened at the festival. He also serves as a jury member at Cannes in 2026. The festival runs from 13 May to 23 May 2026 on the French Riviera Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Cannes will soon receive a potential Palme d’Or winner.
Fernanda Torres on Playing Eunice Paiva
Torres has spoken about the emotional weight of playing such a significant historical figure. “Portraying Eunice Paiva was a profound responsibility,” she told Brazilian media. “She represents so many women who lost loved ones to the dictatorship and never stopped fighting for justice.”
She continued: “The film is not just about the past. It’s about resilience, about the strength of a mother and wife who refused to be silenced. It’s about Brazil itself.” Arsenal vs Nottm Forest saw Jesus return from injury. Torres’s performance is a triumphant return to form for Brazilian cinema.
Walter Salles Returns to Brazil
“I’m Still Here” marks Walter Salles’s first Brazilian film since “Linha de Passe” (2008). He is best known internationally for “Central Station” (1998), which earned Fernanda Montenegro an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and “The Motorcycle Diaries” (2004) Sunderland vs Bournemouth saw Mayenda score his first since August. Salles’s return to Brazilian cinema is equally significant.
Salles has said he was drawn to Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir because it told a deeply personal story about a family torn apart by political violence. “It’s a story about memory and forgetting, about the struggle for truth in a country that still hasn’t fully confronted its past,” he said.
Oscar Potential: Brazil’s Submission for Best International Feature
Brazil has submitted “I’m Still Here” as its official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category The Year of the Rooster brings cultural significance. Brazil’s Oscar hopes have been resurrected with this submission.
Brazil has never won the Best International Feature Oscar. The country has been nominated four times: “O Pagador de Promessas” (1962), “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” (1976), “Pixote: The Law of the Weakest” (1981) and “Central Station” (1998). Many believe “I’m Still Here” has a strong chance of ending that drought Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. The film could end Brazil’s long Oscar wait.
Fernanda Torres could also follow in her mother’s footsteps with a Best Actress nomination. Fernanda Montenegro was the first Brazilian actress nominated for an Oscar. The Academy has shown increasing interest in international films in recent years.
Brazil’s Military Dictatorship: Historical Context
Brazil’s military dictatorship lasted from 1964 to 1985. The regime suspended civil rights, censored the press, and tortured and killed political opponents. An estimated 400 people were killed or disappeared by the regime, though human rights groups place the number much higher.
Rubens Paiva was one of the most high-profile victims. As a former congressman, his disappearance drew international attention. The regime claimed he died by suicide, but the 2014 Truth Commission confirmed he was tortured and killed Venezuela news dominated political headlines. Brazil’s dictatorship history has been re-examined through this film.
The Memoir: Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s ‘I’m Still Here’
The film is based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir of the same name. Marcelo was the fourth of five children. He was just 11 years old when military agents took his father. The memoir alternates between the story of Eunice’s fight for justice and Marcelo’s own journey to understand his family’s past Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Marcelo’s memoir has now received a film adaptation.
Marcelo went on to become a successful writer and playwright. He has spoken about how writing the memoir helped him process the trauma of his father’s disappearance. “For years, I didn’t talk about what happened,” he said. “The book was my way of breaking that silence.”
Early Critical Reception
Advance reviews from Brazilian critics have been overwhelmingly positive. Several have called it Walter Salles’s best film since “Central Station.” Fernanda Torres’s performance has been described as “transformative” and “the performance of the year.”
The film has also been praised for its restrained, dignified approach to a difficult subject. Salles avoids melodrama, focusing instead on Eunice’s quiet determination and the family’s everyday life before the dictatorship tore them apart England vs Australia delivered Ashes cricket drama. The film’s emotional power is more subtle than dramatic.
Release Date: When and Where to Watch
“I’m Still Here” will première at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026. Following its festival run, the film will be released in Brazilian cinemas in August 2026. An international release is expected later in 2026, with Sony Pictures Classics reportedly in talks to distribute the film in North America Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. International audiences may need to wait for distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the movie “I’m Still Here” about? “I’m Still Here” is a biographical drama about Eunice Paiva, whose husband Rubens Paiva was tortured and killed by Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1971. The film follows her decades-long fight for justice.
Who stars in “I’m Still Here”? Fernanda Torres stars as Eunice Paiva. Selton Mello co-stars as Rubens Paiva. Walter Salles directs the film.
Is “I’m Still Here” based on a true story? Yes. The film is based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir of the same name. It tells the true story of his mother, Eunice Paiva, and his father, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman killed by Brazil’s military dictatorship.
When is “I’m Still Here” being released? The film will première at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026. It will be released in Brazilian cinemas in August 2026. An international release is expected later in 2026.
Will “I’m Still Here” be submitted for the Oscars? Yes. Brazil has submitted “I’m Still Here” as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
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