I’m Still Here: On the red carpet with Walter Salles, Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello at London Film Festival 2024

This Brazilian drama I’m Still Here by Walter Salles is a compelling and emotive true story drawn from the memoirs of the best-selling book by Marcelo Ruben Paiva, whose family suffered great hardship during Brazil’s military dictatorship.

It’s based on the real-life story of Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) whose husband, the congressman, Ruben Paiva (Selton Mello) was taken away for questioning from the family home, never to be seen again. Banded together in determination and grief, helmed by the strength of their mother, the family spent the next 30 years seeking out his whereabouts and the truth behind his disappearance.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to director Salles about why he chose to tell this story, the casting process for the feature and what he hopes people will take away from the film.

Torres spoke to us about her role as the matriarch of this family, trying to piece together a fair representation to keep it as authentic as possible, and her favourite moments on set.

We also chatted to Mello about coming on board to be a part of this project, working alongside Torres and what drew him to the script.

Ezelle Alblas

I’m Still Here does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the London Film Festival website here.

Watch a clip from I’m Still Here here: