América (2011)

Bathed in a blend of tragedy and irony, "América" orbits a complex love triangle set in the gritty edges of Portugal. Central to the story is Liza, a striking young Russian beauty ensnared in matrimony to Victor, a native Portuguese small-time crook who thrives on cunning and deception. Ten years after their separation, the formidable Fernanda, Victor's ex-wife and gang leader, breezes back into their lives, stirring a whirlwind of confusion. Hailing from the fiery heart of Andalusia, Spain, she's a woman not easily forgotten. Victor finds himself at a crossroads, torn between the two women who have left indelible marks on his life. Liza, bound to him by ties she can't sever, and Fernanda, who, beneath her hardened exterior, harbors a lingering reluctance to truly let go. Amidst this turmoil, a six-year-old child holds the puppet strings, subtly manipulating the adults around him. The narrative unfolds in the chaotic Cova do Vapor, a ramshackle neighborhood on the fringes of Lisbon, where the Tagus River kisses the Atlantic. Here, fishermen and retired factory workers eke out their lives in a symphony of survival. Eastern European newcomers infuse this microcosm with fresh business opportunities, setting in motion a seismic shift. This is a place where even the weather echoes the tumultuous lives of its inhabitants. When a ferocious storm leaves a rusted fishing boat precariously perched atop the gangster's abode, it serves as a bizarre metaphor for the upheaval churning beneath the surface. Yet, amidst the chaos and the rubble, love persists, and hope clings resiliently - often embodied in a coveted piece of paper, sometimes genuine, sometimes counterfeit - a passport. "América" is a film that navigates the choppy waters of human relationships, set against a backdrop that is as unpredictable and volatile as its characters.

América is a comedy movie featuring Chulpan Khamatova and directed by João Nuno Pinto.

América is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.