I’m Still Here: Political Docudrama (Brazil, Subtitled)

This film has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes Rating.  It has received A.A. nominations for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Fernanda Torres).  It's a very interesting and compelling true story about the psychological devastation of a wife and her five children, starting out in 1970, caused by the violent military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985.  This evil regime was responsible for the murders and torture of thousands of innocent people falsely accused of political crimes against the state.  The movie is based on the memoir of the same title written by Ruben Paiva's son, Marcelo. The film begins in 1970 in Rio de Janeiro.  Eunice (Torres) and Ruben Paiva (Selton Mello) are living happily with their 5 children in a wealthy Laguna-Beach-like neighborhood, Lelblon Beach.  Ruben is an architect, but was previously a former liberal Congressman.  From 1964 until 1970, he was in self-imposed exile in order to avoid political persecution by the dictatorship, but he thought that the situation had improved sufficiently to allow him to return.  The first part of the film reveals the idyllic life of the Reubens family.  They are portrayed idealistically, much like the "Cleaver" family  ( "Leave it to Beaver") or "Ozzie and Harriett."  Everyone gets along well, and they radiate warmth & love.  Their cultural life is rich, filled with music, art, and books.  Friends are often invited over and the adults have complex intellectual discussions.  (I doubt life for the family was quite this wonderful, but this portion of the film provides a stark contrast to what soon happens.) One day, multiple government agents arrive at their home and take Ruben away for "questioning."  Shortly thereafter, Eunice and the oldest daughter are also taken in for questioning.  The daughter is soon released, but Eunice isn't released for about 5 days.  The location of the questioning was an awful prison, and cries of others being tortured are easily heard through the thin prison cell walls.  Unfortunately, Ruben never returns home. The rest of the film is about the family's psychological turmoil (primarily of Eunice, but also the children), and about the sudden void in their lives with Ruben gone, no reliable information about where he might be, or whether he is even alive or dead.  The family endured this lack of closure for many years. I enjoyed the film more prior to Ruben being ripped from his family.  I thought second half of movie was a bit slow, although it conveyed its message well.  The movie is definitely worth seeing, since it's a story worth telling and an important part of history.  Paiva's performance deserves the A.A. nomination, and the film deserves the two Best Picture nominations. I do not anticipate being taken in for "questioning," despite this review.  "I'm Still Here," so stay tuned for more reviews!