I'm Still Here

I'm Still Here

Year: 2025

Runtime: 2 h 16 m

Language: portuguese

Director: Walter Salles

Echo Score: 88

Budget: $80K

biographydramahistory

In Brazil, 1971, a family's life is tragically disrupted by an act of violence under the country's increasingly repressive military dictatorship. The mother is compelled to rebuild her life and adapt to the changing circumstances. The story is based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's acclaimed memoir.

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Timeline & Setting – I'm Still Here (2025)

Explore the full timeline and setting of I'm Still Here (2025). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970-1971, 1996, 2014

The principal events unfold in December 1970 through January 1971, during the Brazilian military dictatorship. The narrative then advances to 1996, when Eunice confronts the long arc of memory and reparations, and culminates in 2014, as public memory surfaces around the Truth Commission and broader justice efforts.

Location

Leblon, Rio de Janeiro; London; São Paulo; DOI-CODI HQ

The Paiva family begins in an idyllic home near Leblon beach in Rio de Janeiro, a picturesque urban coastal suburb. As political tensions rise, the couple's connections to exiles pull them toward international refuge in London and later threaten a move to São Paulo. A military raid marks Rubens Paiva's arrest at the family residence, and the story centers on the violence associated with the regime, with the DOI-CODI headquarters symbolizing state brutality. The setting oscillates between domestic life and clandestine political danger, reflecting Brazil's turbulent dictatorship era.

🏖️ Beach city 🏛️ Political center ✈️ Exile 🏙️ Urban Brazil

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:01

Main Characters – I'm Still Here (2025)

Meet the key characters of I'm Still Here (2025), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Montenegro)

A devoted mother who endures torture and relentlessly pursues the truth about her husband’s disappearance. She becomes a central figure in demanding accountability and, decades later, rebuilding life in a democratic Brazil. Her journey embodies resilience, courage, and a lifelong commitment to justice for victims and families.

👩‍👧 Family matriarch 🗣️ Truth seeker 🕊️ Resilience

Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello)

A civil servant with ties to political exiles who keeps his activities discreet from his family. His arrest and disappearance become a catalyst for the family’s fight for information and accountability. His legacy drives the narrative of memory, loss, and the pursuit of justice.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family man 🕯️ Martyr 🗳️ Political activist

Eliana Paiva (Marjorie Estiano)

The Paiva family’s teenage daughter who is imprisoned for a time, reflecting the vulnerability of youth during political repression. Her experience underscores the personal cost of dictatorship and the impact on siblings and parents.

👧 Teenage daughter 👀 Witness to violence

Fernando Gasparian (Charles Fricks)

A friend of the Paiva family who seeks refuge in London with his wife and daughter, illustrating how political persecution forces networks of exile and international escape. His decisions highlight the reach of the regime beyond national borders.

👨‍👨‍👦 Friend and ally ✈️ Exile

Dalva Gasparian (Maeve Jinkings)

A close ally of Eunice and Rubens whose family also flees to London, sharing the burden of protecting loved ones and maintaining hope in exile. Her presence emphasizes the collective dimension of resistance and resilience.

👭 Family ally 🕊️ Refugee

Baby Bocayuva (Dan Stulbh)

A trusted family friend who aids Eunice by providing information and support as she navigates legal and moral challenges in pursuit of truth and accountability.

🤝 Friend and adviser 🗞️ Media ally

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:01

Major Themes – I'm Still Here (2025)

Explore the central themes of I'm Still Here (2025), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Oppression

The dictatorship's reach is shown through arrests, torture, and disappearances, illustrating how state power disrupts family life and civil rights. The film uses Rubens Paiva's arrest and the subsequent silence surrounding his fate to reveal the mechanisms of political repression. Personal stories become a conduit to expose the broader system of control and fear. By focusing on intimate consequences, the film makes oppression felt rather than abstract.

🧭 Memory & Truth

Memory becomes a driving force for accountability, as Eunice relentlessly pursues information about her husband. The narrative intertwines private memory with public inquiry, culminating in official documents and revelations. The epilogue notes that five individuals were identified as responsible, yet none were prosecuted, underscoring the complicated path from memory to justice. The film suggests that truth-telling is essential but often incomplete without accountability.

💪 Resilience

Families endure separation, displacement, and trauma, yet choose to persevere and protect one another. Eunice's transformation—from a grieving widow to a determined advocate—embodies personal resilience. The younger generations endure imprisonment and witness violence, highlighting the enduring strength of youth and kinship. The narrative emphasizes rebuilding life within a democracy after years of repression.

⚖️ Justice

The film foregrounds post-dictatorship attempts to hold perpetrators accountable and grant reparations to victims' families. The discovery that Rubens was killed at a state facility and the subsequent lack of prosecutions illustrate the gap between recognition and punishment. The story uses public statements, petitions, and official documents to explore the evolving arc toward justice. It also notes the ongoing debate over how to address past crimes within a democratic society.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:01

Unlock the Full Story of I'm Still Here

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I'm Still Here Summary

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I'm Still Here Summary

I'm Still Here Timeline

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I'm Still Here Timeline

I'm Still Here Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of I'm Still Here? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

I'm Still Here Ending Explained

I'm Still Here Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About I'm Still Here

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