I'm Still Here

A devoted mother who endures the perilous climate of the dictatorship while protecting her children. She confronts fear, navigates surveillance, and keeps her family together through petitions, inquiries, and clandestine plans. By 1996 she becomes a lawyer and activist, dedicating herself to cases of repossessed land and human rights, embodying resilience and social commitment.

A former congressman whose political history makes him a target for the regime. He disappears after being asked to testify, becoming a symbol of political persecution and a loss felt by his family. His supposed death later serves as a catalyst for Eunice’s pursuit of truth and justice.

The eldest daughter who travels to London seeking safety, embodying the diaspora's experience. Her letters and film reels keep the family connected across distance, acting as a fragile lifeline. Her absence during the early years heightens the risk and longing felt by her mother and siblings.

A younger daughter who endures interrogation and witness cruelty during detention. She is traumatized by the experience yet grows in resilience as she witnesses her mother's steadfast courage. Her return home marks a turning point in the family's struggle to survive under oppressive authority.

The younger child who grows up in the shadow of the dictatorship, experiencing the long-term effects of fear and displacement. She observes her family's strength in the face of danger and gradually becomes part of the memory of these events. Her perspective offers a lens on how oppression shapes childhood.

Babiu, the baby of the family, witnesses the upheaval around her. She grows up amid loss, trauma, and eventual memory, shaping the long arc of the Paiva family's search for justice. Her early years underscore the impact of political violence on the youngest generation.

Pimpao, the stray dog adopted by the family, embodies a moment of innocent companionship during a perilous time. The dog's death by a car highlights the fragility of life amidst upheaval.