Based on true events, we follow Vera, Madalena, Conceição and Gabriela, victims of domestic violence in a shelter. Together, they rediscover their place as they try to gain the independence and security to start their lives anew. Each episode is dedicated to one of the women and also to Joana, the psychologist who works with them. These are personal and unique testimonies of women who are not limited to the dramatic situation in which they find themselves, without ever being able to forget it.
Almost a home-grown filmmaker, Laranjeira premiered his first film (a school film) at IndieLisboa in 2008. After some shorts, we then saw it grow into a feature film, and now he’s taking a new step towards television series, in a very special project called Casa-Abrigo. As the name might suggest, this mini-series will talk about domestic violence, about women (especially women) who have to find the courage to report the crime and, at the same time, run away from the aggressor, because in this period, violence always escalates, hence the number of fatalities among married women due to crimes perpetrated by their partners. The series follows a group of women who meet in the house, featuring actresses such as Maria João Pinho, Leonor Silveira and Rita Cabaço who play different women, all with a history of violence. Unlike most films and series that may want to exercise pity, this one exercises strength, courage and the assumption of fear. All because you feel that this story is so real that it hits you head on. (Miguel Valverde)
