Movies

I’m Still Here

BBG News

Verdict: The other side of Brazil  

In 1938, Jean Renoir’s classic movie La Grande Illusion became the first foreign-language film to be nominated for the Best Picture award at the Oscars. Since then, a total of 19 more films have been nominated, but only one has actually won – Parasite in 2019.

It’s highly unlikely that the Brazilian contender “I’m Still Here” will replicate its success within the next nine days. In fact, the odds given by bookmakers seem too low at 100/1. However, it’s an excellent movie.

The story unfolds in Rio de Janeiro during the year 1970. For many sports enthusiasts of a certain generation, this era brings back memories of just one thing: the incredibly talented football team who claimed victory in the World Cup that summer in Mexico, led by exceptional players, particularly Pele, whose names continue to echo through time.

Yet here I stand as a reminder, serving as a counterpoint to our oversight – a reflection of our potential ignorance or failure to truly grasp – that while Pele and his comrades attained eternal glory in the realm of football, Brazil suffered under the iron fist of a military regime.

This movie, crafted by renowned Brazilian director Walter Salles, corrects or at least directs us towards a more ominous part of history. It narrates the genuine tale of the prosperous, middle-class Paiva family (who were acquaintances of Salles during his upbringing in Rio), whose tranquil life was shattered after the chilling sound that echoes in every totalitarian nation: the knock on the door.

Up until that stage, Salles meticulously crafts an image of a golden lifestyle. The Paiva family, Rubens (portrayed by Selton Mello) and Eunice (Fernanda Torres), rule with kindness over a cheerful home. They have five intelligent, lively children, in addition to a devoted housekeeper. In certain aspects, it reminded me of Alfonso Cuaron’s beautiful 2018 film Roma, another foreign-language contender for Best Picture at the Oscars.

The local beach serves as a representation of the Paivas’ happiness. It’s here where they enjoy games of football and volleyball, and have the opportunity to take in a lost Jack Russell terrier that they can keep as a pet.

However, a cloud seems to be moving towards the sun. This is evident in the convoys of military vehicles we see passing by, as well as in the hint that the whole family may need to relocate, such as the eldest daughter being sent to live with relatives in London.

It appears that Rubens, who used to serve as a congressman, has been expressing quiet opposition towards the current government. Shortly after, he is taken away for questioning.

In the background of the house, stern-faced men remain to watch over the family, but ever polite Eunice, who informs her kids she’s from ‘pest control,’ doesn’t neglect her etiquette and instead invites everyone to join her for a meal at lunchtime.

Interestingly, Torres is being considered for an Oscar as well. She follows in the footsteps of her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was nominated for Best Actress in 1998 for the film Central Station directed by Salles, making them the first mother-daughter duo to be nominated for this prestigious award since Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. This is indeed an impressive accomplishment.

Torres truly merits her Oscar nomination. Her portrayal of Eunice is exceptional, showcasing her unwavering resilience even when she and one of her daughters are taken away. Eunice’s strong sense of pride in her identity, coupled with her fierce determination to safeguard her children, serves as the backbone for the entire film.

The narrative jumps ahead 40 years in total, but it consistently zeroes in on the happenings of 1970. Despite having the opportunity to intensify the violence or escalate emotions, Salles’ film is more impactful due to his self-restraint.

 

Verdict: Nuts

In the realm of chilling horror films, nothing quite compares to the unbridled chaos that is Osgood Perkins’s darkly comedic masterpiece, “The Monkey,” based on a gripping short story by Stephen King. As an obsessed fan, I can attest that this demon-possessed plush monkey has taken over my nightmares, tormenting the lives of twins Hal and Bill – one with a kind heart, the other brimming with malice (portrayed as children by Christian Convery and grown-ups by Theo James).

Essentially, each time the monkey beats its drum signifies imminent death, with the deaths becoming increasingly absurdly violent.

Occasionally, The Monkey reminds me of the TV series Six Feet Under, yet it lacks the level of cleverness found in its original execution.

In this situation, what’s lacking is genuine scares and hearty laughter. Instead, it appears that excessive violence, particularly the display of blood and internal organs such as a scene where a shopkeeper’s intestines are pulled from his body, seem to be the main focus.

Discussing his ties, director Perkins is practically tethered by blood to one of the most spine-tingling movies ever made, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), where his late father Anthony played a role. He honored this legacy with his latest work, Longlegs (2024). However, The Monkey is simply not sane, and that’s far from a positive aspect.

 

Verdict: Creepy unsettling 

As an ardent admirer, I’d say that September Says is a chilling tale revolving around the enigmatic duo, September (Pascale Kann) and July (Mia Tharia), who are school-aged siblings. One of them exerts a more significant influence, and their narrative spirals into an increasingly ominous tale. Yet, it manages to keep you on the edge of your seat with its hauntingly compelling atmosphere.

Actress Ariane Labed, whose spouse, Yorgos Lanthimos, directed the critically acclaimed films ‘The Favourite’ in 2018 and ‘Poor Things’ in 2023 (which were both recognized with multiple Oscar nominations), is making a promising start as a director.

All three films in cinemas now.

 

Peter Schmeichel? A piano prodigy whose dad was a spy! 

Schemichel is highly recommended for enthusiasts of Manchester United and, perhaps, a slightly more limited group of our readers who are also supporters of Denmark.

Despite having varying football allegiances, this film is still an entertaining watch as it delves into the life and career of one of modern soccer’s most impactful goalkeepers – the renowned Danish player, Peter Schmeichel.

His previous teammates often provided amusing insights. According to Gary Neville, if you committed a defensive blunder in front of the towering figure, he reacted as if you had stolen his grandmother’s handbag. However, an intriguing disclosure is that his troubled Polish father, who was a musician (gifting Schmeichel with a knack for playing the piano and utilizing his large hands in a different way), briefly worked as a spy, even serving as a double agent.

 

This enthralling documentary titled “I Am Martin Parr” offers insights into the career of an exceptional photographer known for his unique ability to capture both the mundane and quirky aspects of British daily life, creating a treasured visual archive spanning the last five decades.

Among all his photos, the one that truly captivates me is the scene of three nuns enjoying ice creams in a park while playfully warding off a nosy swan. I find it to be a miniature masterpiece.

Schmeichel is on all digital platforms; I Am Martin Parr is in select cinemas.

 

Classic films on TV 

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Could it be regarded as a timeless piece by the next generation? I certainly hope that’s the case. Martin McDonagh’s unique, quirky comedy set in 1920s Ireland, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, is simply remarkable.

Saturday, 9.15pm, Channel 4.

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2025-02-21 03:27

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