A series of six short films made by students from the Swiss school HEAD, directed by Basil da Cunha, will premiere on 28 November at 9.30 pm at Cinema Ideal in Lisbon. The screening is supported by Doclisboa – International Film Festival and the Swiss Embassy and will be a unique opportunity to see these films, which portray the suburbs of Lisbon and were shot in a very particular and unexpected context: the murder of Odair Moniz by a PSP agent on 21 October 2024.
During the workshop held in Lisbon by HEAD students, the death of Odair Moniz had a profound impact on the authors, the protagonists and the films themselves. Having occurred in the middle of production, this event transformed the projects into objects that go beyond documentary portraits. The Invisible City is an X-ray of a crucial moment in Portugal’s recent history — a country that, for too long, has silenced the reality of police violence in its suburbs.
Working in pairs, the film students created a documentary portrait of local residents, shaping a sensitive cartography of the city’s suburbs. The project began under the impetus of António Brito Guterres, a researcher and “urban facilitator” whose work illuminates the dark areas of the “white city”, opening up a crucial reflection on the invisibility of these territories.
The first meetings with the protagonists took place in various neighbourhoods of Greater Lisbon, guided by visual artist and producer Maíra Zenun. This first phase alternated between location scouting, writing and initial filming, complemented by a camera workshop led by cinematographer Rui Xavier. In the following weeks, under the supervision of director Cláudia Varejão, the students continued to write and film, with the support of Basil da Cunha, Pedro Diniz, and Eliana Rosa — long-time collaborators rooted in these communities.
The films that make up The Invisible City were created as part of HEAD – Geneva’s ‘Grand Atelier’, a three-week workshop held abroad. In 2024, the workshop took place in Lisbon, in collaboration with the Lusófona University Film School, led by Basil da Cunha — filmmaker and professor at HEAD since 2013, who has dedicated himself to filming the Reboleira community for two decades.
Anita Hugi, director of the Film Department, congratulates the premiere of these films in collaboration with Doclisboa, at Cinema Ideal: ‘They are remarkable works of cinematic and human beauty. They reflect the approach of our film school: innovative cinema, strong individual voices and a working process based on close collaboration with the protagonists, who actively participate in the creation of each film.’
Synopses
Entre cães e lobos
Khalissa Akadi, Mathilde Sauvère
2025, 13’
In O Fim Do Mundo, one of Lisbon’s outskirts, Leo’s heart is on fire. When Odair Moniz’s murder occurs, Leo refuses to remain silent. He wants to understand, act, avenge, and transform. But how can he start a revolution? How can he make his voice heard? Between a fierce for life, burning hopes, a desire to revolt, and the urge to act, Leo charts a path to resilience.
Solo De Vidro
Achiraf Djakpa, Jonathan Leggett
2025, 23’
Kleyton is a young teenager who aspires to become a dancer. Junior, on the other hand, dreams of becoming a footballer. Both live in the peripheral neighbourhoods of Lisbon: Cova da Moura and Reboleira.
Com o mar
Selam Tesfu Michael, Gabriel Berrada
2025, 22’
In the “Fim do Mundo” neighborhood in Lisbon, Álvaro, a young man from the Cigano community, is about to become a father for the first time. As the birth approaches, he turns to the people around him to understand what it means to pass things on, to protect, and to love in a world where his community still faces political isolation, prejudice, and deeply rooted stigma.
No Mundo
Sirak Ghere, Luca Quiero
2025, 14
Driving his van painted in his company’s colors, Tiago Melo tours the outskirts of Lisbon to deliver his eggs. Through this unusual job, we discover a man with a troubled past who has found his way back, told with a touch of humor.
Xineza
Clélia Baudrie, Noah Chung
2025, 15’
This documentary traces the journey of Xineza, a determined and powerful young woman. A single mother, she fights to make her voice heard in the demanding world of music. Through her daily struggle, the film explores the realities of being a Black woman from an underprivileged background, an experience shaped by hope, hardship, and resilience. It offers an intimate look into a path strewn with obstacles, carried forward by an unwavering will to succeed.
Vera
Solveig Carnajac, Julien Monges
2025, 21’
Vera is the portrait of a woman who tries to live her passion for music despite the difficulties of daily life: precariousness, racism, exhausting work.
