5 songs featured in the movie 'I'm Still Here' and why they're so important
As a Brazilian, it’s not every day that I see national productions winning Golden Globes or being considered for an Oscar nominations. To celebrate these incredible (and rare) achievements, we’re highlighting five songs featured in the movie and explaining why they’re so essential to the plot.
Jimmy, Renda-Se by Tom Zé: this song plays at the very beginning of the movie, immediately transporting us back to the 1970s.
Take Me Back to Piauí by Juca Chaves: this song captures the Paiva family’s last happy moment: dancing together and enjoying life before everything falls apart.
Ride a White Swan by T. Rex: Veruca chose this vinyl to send to her family from London as an example of the new English sound of the ’70s in one of her first letters.
Fora da Ordem by Caetano Veloso: this more recent song, from the ’90s, was chosen to bring us to modern times as we follow Eunice’s journey for justice.
É Preciso Dar um Jeito, Meu Amigo by Erasmo Carlos: this is the most iconic song of the movie - you’ll hear it in the trailers and over the final credits. Although performed by Erasmo Carlos, it was written by his friend Roberto Carlos after visiting Gilberto Gil, who was exiled in London at the time. The lyrics reflect on Brazil’s political situation during that period.
We don’t know if we’re bringing the statue home, but we do know it’s been a tough road to get here. This is will be our first nomination for Best International Feature Film since 1999, and funnily enough, that was for Central Station, directed by Walter Salles—the same director of I’m Still Here.
Salles has a unique way of telling tough stories that are such a big part of our nation’s history and as a Brazilian, it’s amazing to see his work connecting with people all over the world. Honestly, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do with 55 Magazine—talk about music, sure, but also use it to share our culture and get it out there for everyone to see. In our own little way, we hope to make it happen.