Experiencing Interruptions?

Illegal

Living in a diverse house share in England, Wellington, a young mixed-race man, grapples with the complexities of his life while preparing for work. Interacting with his vibrant housemates as they prepare for a social event, Wellington struggles with inner turmoil related to work obligations, supporting his family in his home country, and navigating his identity and relationships.

At work, Wellington accidentally encounters Abigail, his boss’s neighbour, worsening the animosity. Despite organising an exquisite party at his boss's house, Wellington faces uncomfortable situations while serving guests. Amidst the festivities, his enthusiasm peaks when a song from his homeland fills the air, and he embraces the change in atmosphere with his dance, though his joy is unnoticed by the guests. Meanwhile, the party noise disturbs Abigail, who, dealing with marriage conflicts and fertility issues, calls the police to complain, compulsively revealing Wellington's irregular visa status.

As Wellington dances passionately, the police raid the party, forcing him to hide and escape in a fancy disguise. Dancing defiantly in the streets as the music floods the city, he is interrupted by an aggressive presence. Whilst the party noise calms down and Abigail finds peace with her struggles, Wellington is left bruised on the ground by a group of adolescents. Showing no sign of defeat, he rises and surrenders to the dance as the music resumes.

  • Fabricio Rodrigues
    Director
  • Luiza Paiva
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Musical
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 20, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Fabricio Rodrigues

Fabricio Rodrigues is a London-based filmmaker, originally from Brazil. He is particularly drawn to projects that can transport audiences into the story with truth and emotion. His background in still photography has fuelled his passion for discovering unique and compelling ways to capture both settings and performances.



His career began as a director’s assistant and editor at a small production company, primarily working on branded content and fashion films. This experience gave him a strong foundation in understanding how various elements come together to create a successful final piece.



Over the past six years, he has worked as a freelance director and editor while also collaborating with other directors as a cinematographer. His work includes music videos, corporate videos, experimental films, short documentaries, narrative short films, and commercials.

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Director Statement

Five years ago, my relocation to the UK sparked a profound journey of self-discovery. During this time, I had recurring vivid dreams of being chased by the police, which later unveiled deeper connections than I initially grasped

Growing up as a mixed-race child in a working-class family in Brazil, I had my first experience as an immigrant very early in life. When I was three years old my family moved to Australia, where we lived undocumented for a few years. After returning to Brazil, my family continued relocating to different regions in search of better work opportunities. Therefore, the challenges of navigating new environments have always been a significant part of my life.


The desire to assimilate into a community is as universal as it can be, and this feeling pulsed very strongly for me as well. In order to achieve that, we often hide elements of ourselves—personality, appearance, sexuality, and economic status. The unceasing fear of being uncovered, just like evading the police in my dreams, and the sublime liberation through self-affirmation are the overpowering emotions that lead me to write 'Illegal'.