The miniseries “Casa Abrigo,” written and directed by Márcio Laranjeira, explores the lives within domestic violence shelters. Inspired by numerous testimonies and the personal story of the director’s mother, the series spans six episodes.
“This was something I always wanted to write. There’s a personal aspect to it, but also the realization that it affects many others. When you have a personal story related to domestic violence, you can easily identify others in similar situations. It’s an endless web,” Laranjeira shared with news agency Lusa.
Laranjeira aimed for a polyphonic series, intertwining stories of different women who share a history of domestic violence and a communal home.
The series features Maria João Pinho, Leonor Silveira, Ana Sofia Martins, Filomena Gigante, and Rita Cabaço, portraying narratives about domestic violence and the shared experience of temporary emergency housing.
“The issue is that these shelters are seen as the solution, which they shouldn’t be. When I began writing, I didn’t fully grasp this. There are waiting lists and it’s hard to prioritize. The other side—justice for the perpetrator—is not resolved,” Laranjeira explained.
The series showcases diverse characters and situations, highlighting different family, matrimonial contexts, and varying ages of victims.
“The women in these stories lack identity; they have to rebuild from there. That was a discovery for me. I chose not to include graphic violence flashbacks—they already carry that with them. The real story is about the violence of forming an identity starting from here,” the director emphasized.
In early February, RTP presented several series slated for this year, including “Casa Abrigo.” However, when asked, an RTP source stated that no air date has been set yet.
According to Laranjeira, the delay could be linked to actor Carloto Cotta, who plays a minor role and faces charges by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of nine crimes, including rape, kidnapping, sexual coercion, and aggravated threats against a woman.
The case came to public attention in late February, with the indictment against Cotta, detailing incidents from 2023, reported by the Expresso weekly.
Carloto Cotta’s role in “Casa Abrigo” is minor and not as a perpetrator, contrary to some media reports, Laranjeira clarified.
“This situation involving Carloto Cotta is extremely uncomfortable. It raises the possibility of the series being cancelled and, by doing so, silences the victims’ testimonies,” the director asserted.
“Casa Abrigo,” produced by Fado Filmes for RTP, will have two of its six episodes screened on April 11 at the IndieLisboa film festival.
