The film has found relevance both in the past and present as Brazil confronts the aftermath of a recent coup attempt.
Last month, President Lula marked the second anniversary of a riot in Brasília’s Three Powers Plaza, where protesters had aimed to incite another military uprising. On January 8, 2023, just a week after Lula began his third, non-consecutive term, thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the plaza. The rioters vandalized the Supreme Court, the National Congress building, and the presidential palace, clashing with security forces. Authorities claim the violence was part of a broader effort to overthrow Lula and reinstate Bolsonaro.
Lucas Figueiredo, a journalist and author of several books on Brazil’s dictatorship, believes that a lack of understanding about the past has allowed many Brazilians to romanticize the era of military rule. “To this day, the military sees itself as having the right to attempt a coup in the 21st century. This is clear evidence that no memory of those events has been built,” Figueiredo said.
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has openly defended the military dictatorship and expressed nostalgia for that period. During his presidency (2019–2022), he dismantled the Amnesty Commission and the Special Commission on Political Deaths and Disappearances—two bodies created to document and address past human rights abuses. When asked about the film I’m Still Here, Bolsonaro dismissed it, telling a Bloomberg reporter, “I’m not even going to waste my time.”
Figueiredo argues that the absence of accountability for officials involved in the military dictatorship has fueled the current unrest. “This created a culture of impunity that encourages actions like those we saw on January 8,” he said.
However, Marcia Carneiro, a history professor at Fluminense Federal University, notes that the perception of impunity might be waning, as efforts to hold Bolsonaro and his allies accountable gain momentum. On February 18, Brazil’s top prosecutor, Paulo Gonet, charged Bolsonaro and 33 others with plotting to overthrow the government. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face decades in prison. “There is a growing awareness that those who act against the rule of law can face consequences. This is new and significant in Brazil,” Carneiro said.
Carneiro believes that if Bolsonaro were still in power, the film I’m Still Here might have faced protests or even attacks. She pointed to an incident in 2019 when Bolsonaro supporters firebombed the headquarters of the comedy group Porta dos Fundos after they released a short Netflix film portraying Jesus as gay.
Nevertheless, the film’s focus on family rather than politics may have softened some right-wing criticism. I’m Still Here delves deeply into the power of family, depicting an idyllic home life shattered by violence. Experts say this emphasis on family dynamics has made the film resonate with a broad audience. “Everyone has a family—a mother, a father—and is moved when they see them suffering. Viewers can imagine something like this happening in their own homes,” Carneiro explained.
Stay updated with the latest news by visiting our websites: ZTC News and ZNews Today. Explore more stories and updates now!