I watched 'I'm Still Here', a film based on the book by writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva, which tells the story of the impact on his family caused by the disappearance of his father, congressman Rubens Paiva, during the military regime, and the search by his mother, Eunice, for the truth about her husband's fate. It's worth watching. For the historical portrayal of an important time in Brazil, for the spectacular performances by Fernandas, Montenegro and Torres, and for the children in the cast. Mainly, for the choice to value the intelligence and autonomy of the audience's thinking.
All the necessary warnings are made in a subtle and elegant way. It is not an angry, positional or activist message that, as often happens, ends up alienating part of the audience. The dialogues between the characters are economical, and we perceive and feel what we need to perceive and feel without anyone trying to convince us.
“What is expected is plurality and depth so that we can form our own opinion and not be afraid to express it..”
As soon as I left the screening room, while I was waiting in the lobby, a woman approached me and wanted to talk. She said that she cried a lot, that the film brings necessary content, especially for new generations and even more so in the current times. Several times, she interspersed her impressions of the film with the caveat that she was not left-wing. And that really caught my attention. Why could having liked and considered the film relevant lead to the conclusion that she was left-wing or right-wing? Why would that be important at that moment? And why the need to give such an excuse to a stranger?
I don't think this is an isolated case. We are living in a time when it has become boring, simplistic and, in some situations, even dangerous to be identified as left or right. Today, these are labels that do not account for the complexity of thought and ideas, created to inhibit more active participation in society and used, most of the time, with a pejorative or prejudiced tone. We all lose.
This trap must also be avoided by journalism and its commitment to the public and collective interest. Shedding light on these narratives will only reinforce the existing polarization, which has already proven unproductive. For the majority who believe and trust in professional journalism, like me, what is expected is plurality and depth so that we can form our own opinion and not be afraid to express it.
Anik Suzuki, CEO of ANK Reputation and member of the Editorial Board of RBS
aniksuzuki@ankreputationfeed.com.br
- Article originally published in Zero Hora on December 6, 2024.
