Attention from the Academy typically results in healthy box office bumps for nominated films, and one of the biggest beneficiaries of this tradition this week wasthe Brazilian hitI’m Still Here. Theperiod drama earned three Oscar nominationsa few days ago, and witnessed an incredible increase in revenue at the domestic box office. In fact, itdelivered the second-best per-theater averageof any film currently in release, beating out the likes ofFlight RiskandMufasa: The Lion King. Directed byWalter Salles,I’m Still Hereis the biggest Brazilian hit of the post-pandemic era.
The movie earned $229,000 this weekend at the domestic box office, taking its running total to $423,000 after 10 days of release anddelivering a 102% increase over last weekend’s figures. It spent the first week of its run playing in just five theaters, and expanded into 17 locations this week. The movie delivered a per-theater average of over $22,000 in its first weekend, and in weekend two, it delivered a per-theater average of over $13,000. By comparison, the action-thrillerFlight Risk, starringMark Wahlberg, delivered a PTA of $3,665 in its first weekend of release, while the holdover hitMufasarecorded a PTA of over $2,500 in its sixth weekend.The Brutalist, which also witnessed a major expansion this past weekend in the wake of 10 Oscar nominations, delivered a PTA of over $2,500 as well.
The Brutalisthad been delivering the biggest PTAs for a month before it was overtaken byI’m Still Here, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The movie hasearned a total of $15 million at the global box office, against a reported budget of $1.5 million. Salles is perhaps best known forThe Motorcycle Diaries; he also directed the Hollywood filmsDark WaterandOn the Road. Based onthe real-life storyof a political dissident’s disappearance in the 1970s, themovie earned excellent reviews. It currently holds a “fresh” 96% approval rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, and an even better 99% audience score.
‘I’m Still Here’ Earned Three Oscar Nominations
In her review, Collider’sEmma Kielydescribed the movie as “an intimate, devastating, and beautiful celebration of the human spirit.“I’m Still Herehas received widespread acclaim forFernanda Torres' lead performance. She won a Golden Globe, andearned a surprise nomination at the Oscars.I’m Still Herewas also nominated in the Best International Feature category, and becamethe first Brazilian film to earn a Best Picture nod. You can watchI’m Still Herein theaters, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
I’m Still Here
I’m Still Here delves into the tumultuous era of 1970s Brazil, focusing on Eunice Paiva’s enduring quest to uncover the fate of her husband, Rubens Paiva, who disappeared during the dictatorship. As she nears the truth after decades, Eunice is confronted with the onset of Alzheimer’s, adding urgency to her search.
