A radiant Rio de Janeiro, bathed in sunlight and carried by the ocean breeze. The beach is full of life—children run across the sand, families enjoy their time together, and laughter drifts through the air. This vibrant postcard from the 1970s, depicting a Cidade Maravilhosa exuding freedom and vitality, sets the stage for "I'm Still Here," a Brazilian film that film which recently won the Oscar for Best International Feature, marking a first for Brazilian cinematography. Further recognizing its merits, the film also received Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Best Picture. The film's setting provides a rich backdrop for exploring the urban landscape of Rio during a pivotal period in its history. As the story unfolds, this bright and open setting gives way to the architectural and urban impacts of the fear and uncertainty of the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil for over two decades.
Between 1964 and 1985, Brazil endured a dictatorship that left lasting scars on its people. Censorship and repression became part of everyday life, affecting political, social, personal, and professional aspects in different ways. Even some of the country's most renowned architects suffered the consequences: Niemeyer was interrogated and removed from major projects like Brasília’s airport, while Vilanova Artigas was imprisoned and forcibly retired, preventing him from teaching at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo. Thousands disappeared, and many more were tortured by the state—numbers that remain uncertain to this day.
