Struggle to Correct Dad's Death Certificate for Years, Yet Still Unresolved

The Fight for Justice

Tessa Moura Lacerda, a philosophy professor at the University of São Paulo, recounts the emotional journey of correcting her father's death certificate.

A Long-Awaited Victory

Tessa and her mother finally obtained the corrected death certificate for her father, Gildo Macedo Lacerda, who died under torture during Brazil's military dictatorship.

The certificate now accurately reflects his cause of death as a victim of state violence during the oppressive regime of 1964.

A Painful Legacy

Gildo and Tessa's mother, Mariluce, were part of a left-wing group advocating for democracy, which led to their arrest and Gildo's disappearance.

Tessa grew up with the absence of her father, haunted by the lack of official recognition and the family's inability to bury him.

The Quest for Closure

For years, Tessa fought to have Gildo recognized as her father on her birth certificate, highlighting the importance of correcting his death certificate.

A National Reckoning

Brazil recently announced plans to rectify death certificates of victims of the dictatorship, acknowledging the state's responsibility in their deaths.

This move aims to address the painful past and provide closure to families like Tessa's who suffered loss during that dark period.

The Power of Remembrance

The release of the film "I'm Still Here" has reignited conversations about Brazil's turbulent history, shedding light on the struggles of families impacted by the dictatorship.

A Collective Trauma

Brazilians with ties to the era of military rule find solace in the film's portrayal of personal and collective trauma, emphasizing the need to confront the past for a better future.

Through storytelling and acknowledgment, these families hope to heal the wounds of the past and ensure that history is not forgotten.