"In all souls, as in all houses, beyond the façade lies a hidden interior."
— RAUL BRANDÃO
In the picturesque Alfama district of Lisbon, Carla da Cunha and her family wonder where they will go when they are eventually forced out of their apartment – possibly as early as this September – thanks to the onward march of gentrification. Carla and her husband make and sell artisan crafts at local fairs to support themselves and their two daughters, aged 7 and 15. They live in a building sold to investors who intend to convert the homes into apartments for short-term rental, and there are thousands more like them.
Images and words featured in an article about people fighting evictions and zooming rents as old Lisbon gentrifies.
Inspired by the poignant real-life struggle of Carla da Cunha and her family in the historic Alfama district of Lisbon, I took the initiative to develop this story into a film project. After researching the effects of gentrification on the local community, I wrote a detailed treatment and screenplay that brings to life the emotional and social impact of their situation.
The film follows the da Cunha family, artisans facing eviction as their apartment is sold to investors for short-term rentals. Through their personal journey, the story highlights the broader crisis affecting countless families across Lisbon as rising rents and real estate speculation force them from their homes.
With this project, my goal was to not only capture the human side of gentrification but also raise awareness about this urgent issue that has reshaped cities like Lisbon. While the film treatment is still in development, the treatment lays the foundation for an emotional and thought-provoking narrative.
Stills below by Pedro Plácido
