Cast & Characters
THE STORY OF A YOUNG IMMIGRANT TRAPPED BETWEEN DREAMS AND BORDERS.
Watch Trailer (Soon)A determined immigrant delivery driver in Lisbon navigates the precarious system and his own aspirations for a stable future, only to be caught in a sweep that threatens to upend his carefully constructed life.
"The tram 28E, a symbol of Lisbon's touristic charm, became the central metaphor for the film: for some, it is an attraction; for others, it is the stage of survival."
As an immigrant living in Lisbon, I have witnessed how the city is portrayed through postcards, tourist buses, and Instagram feeds—always beautiful, always picturesque. But beneath these images lies another Lisbon: one of delivery riders zigzagging through traffic, of overcrowded shared rooms, of immigrants trying to build a life while facing uncertainty and bureaucracy. With 28E: Last Stop, I wanted to capture this parallel Lisbon, one that exists side by side with the city that tourists consume but rarely see.
The story follows Lucas, a young Brazilian immigrant who dreams of stability and of opening his own cafe. His struggle is not extraordinary—it is the struggle of thousands. That is precisely why it needs to be told. I wanted to humanize the immigrant figure often reduced to statistics or stereotypes, and to explore how political speeches, legal frameworks, and economic precarity translate into daily tension, into the choice between hope and despair.
The tram 28E, a symbol of Lisbon's touristic charm, became the central metaphor for the film: for some, it is an attraction; for others, it is the stage of survival. By juxtaposing these realities, I aim to reveal the fragile line between belonging and exclusion. The wooden bird that Lucas carries symbolizes both memory and freedom—something fragile yet resistant, just like his own journey.
This film is deeply personal. It is rooted in my own observations, my own encounters with migrants who make the city function but remain invisible. Through Lucas's story, I hope audiences will not only see Lisbon differently, but also reflect on the systems that define who gets to belong, who remains unseen, and what it costs to pursue dignity in an adopted land.
Lucas, a 28-year-old Brazilian immigrant in Lisbon, survives by working as a delivery driver while studying Business Administration online. He dreams of opening his own cafe—a place that would finally be his, a foundation for a stable life. His days are split between exhausting deliveries, late-night study sessions, and phone calls with his mother back home, to whom he sends part of his meager earnings.
When Lucas receives an interview at RapidTransit, a licensed company able to sponsor visas, it seems his chance for stability has finally arrived. He sells his motorcycle, the tool of his survival, in hopes of embracing this new chapter. But on the same day he celebrates his hiring, immigration laws change—suddenly limiting the number of immigrants companies can employ. His dream collapses before it even begins.
As political speeches broadcast promises of justice, Lucas's reality becomes more precarious. His Angolan roommate Domingos warns him of the growing crackdown, but Lucas clings to optimism. The wooden bird he carries—a carving from home—remains his talisman of hope. Yet the city that once held promise begins to close in. Police raids spread through immigrant communities, and tension mounts as Lucas realizes he may be next.
One night, while riding the iconic Tram 28E—the same tram tourists flock to in search of "the real Lisbon"—Lucas finds himself cornered by immigration agents. As he clutches his wooden bird and speaks with his mother on the phone, the line between dream and nightmare blurs. His fate remains uncertain, but the story echoes far beyond him, reflecting the invisible lives of countless others.
esaturated color palette with warm amber light accents. Claustrophobic camera work inside the bus, with wide-angle lenses capturing the empty streets.
Immersive sound design: constant rain, the creaking of the bus, and tense silences. Minimalist score combining strings and electronic elements.
Relentless escalation. Each stop reveals another layer. Time compresses as the characters approach the final stop.
IndieLisboa, Rio International Film Festival, Gramado Film Festival, Brasília Brazilian Film Festival, SXSW, Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival
Commercial theatrical circuit + cineclubs.
MUBI, Globoplay, Filmin.
International sales through a dedicated sales agent.
Adults 18–45, fans of urban thrillers and drama, consumers of Brazilian and international streaming content.
Cinephiles and festival audiences seeking original narratives with social depth.
Global audiences of psychological and drama thrillers — the universal theme transcends cultural boundaries.