With ‘I’m Still Here’, Brazil Confronts Ghosts of Dictatorship
A Film That Has Captivated the Nation
The global success of Brazilian movie “I’m Still Here” – riding high after three Oscars nominations – has set off a national fervour usually reserved for Carnaval or the football World Cup. The movie has been seen by almost four million Brazilians, and its impact has been felt across the country.
A Story of Love and Loss
The movie is based on the true story of Rubens Paiva, a leftist politician who disappeared in Rio de Janeiro in 1971 under the dictatorship he opposed, and his wife Eunice’s battle to find out what happened to him. Actress Fernanda Torres, who plays Eunice, scored a best actress nomination and has already won a Golden Globe for her role.
A Nation Reckons with Its Past
The film’s success has forced a new generation to reckon with the ghosts of the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship – whose crimes remain unpunished. Long faded from public debate, the brutal era was also thrust into the spotlight after police accusations shortly after the film’s release that former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro attempted to mastermind a military coup after losing the 2022 elections.
A Film About the Present, Too
The film’s success has inspired a guided tour to the tomb of Eunice Paiva, who died in Sao Paulo in 2018. “I came to pay tribute to her because we must remember what her struggle tells us about our country today,” said Mirella Rabello, a 28-year-old doctor who left flowers at the grave. In Rio de Janeiro, the house where “I’m Still Here” was filmed has also attracted Brazilian tourists moved by the story, based on a book by Eunice’s son Marcelo.
Unpunished Crimes
Unlike many other Latin American nations, the crimes of Brazil’s dictatorship have gone unpunished after an amnesty law approved in 1979 by the military regime. According to official figures, 202 people were killed, 232 went missing, while thousands were tortured and illegally detained under the dictatorship. Eugenia Gonzaga, president of the state Commission on Political Deaths and Disappearances, told AFP the true number of victims is likely higher.
A New Era of Accountability
In December, a Supreme Court judge for the first time ruled that the amnesty cannot include the concealment of corpses. The decision by judge Flavio Dino, which must still be weighed by the whole bench, cited the movie “I’m Still Here”. Among those officially recognised to have died, the courts ordered in December that their death certificates be corrected to indicate that they died at the hands of the state. Death certificates will also be issued for the missing.
Conclusion
The success of “I’m Still Here” has sparked a national conversation about the country’s troubled past and the need for accountability. As Brazil continues to grapple with the legacy of its dictatorship, the film serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and learning from history.
FAQs
Q: What is the movie “I’m Still Here” about?
A: The movie is based on the true story of Rubens Paiva, a leftist politician who disappeared in Rio de Janeiro in 1971 under the dictatorship he opposed, and his wife Eunice’s battle to find out what happened to him.
Q: How many Brazilians have seen the movie?
A: Almost four million Brazilians have seen the movie.
Q: What is the significance of the movie’s success?
A: The movie’s success has forced a new generation to reckon with the ghosts of the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship – whose crimes remain unpunished.
Q: What is the current state of accountability for the crimes of the dictatorship?
A: The crimes of Brazil’s dictatorship have gone unpunished after an amnesty law approved in 1979 by the military regime. However, there are ongoing efforts to hold those responsible accountable, including a recent Supreme Court ruling that the amnesty cannot include the concealment of corpses.