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Drawing from his own immigration story, Brazilian actor and producer Luca Castellani stars in America, a touching short film directed by Aly Muritiba. Set in the US, the film explores identity, love, and belonging through the character of Tom, a Brazilian immigrant who falls for a writer seeking inspiration.
A story shaped by a personal journey
America was born out of real-life conversations between Luca Castellani and director Aly Muritiba. Castellani, who came to the United States as a Brazilian immigrant, opened up about his path toward citizenship, confronting cultural dislocation and the deeper desire for acceptance.
These conversations became the seed of the film. But as anti-immigrant sentiments escalated during the Trump administration, the urgency of the project changed. ICE raids dominated headlines, and the national climate became more hostile. What began as a personal story took on a broader, more political resonance: the experience of feeling foreign in a country full of walls, both visible and invisible.
For me, this kind of approach is what makes cinema powerful. When a filmmaker takes the specificity of one person’s story and turns it into something that echoes so widely, you can’t help but feel connected. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
Making a film in uncertain times
Production kicked off in the spring, as protests against immigration enforcement intensified across the country. Initially, Muritiba and Castellani considered including real protest footage by shooting scenes in Los Angeles. But safety concerns forced a change of location, and they moved the shoot to Chicago.
That decision speaks volumes about the context in which America was made. There was a real risk in even depicting protest, especially through the lens of an immigrant’s story. Yet the team pressed on — not for spectacle, but for truth.
What impressed me most when reading about the production is how much heart Castellani poured into it. He financed the film himself, using money from his previous career as a model. “That’s what I used to make this film,” he said, “and it felt like I got a seat at the table and created an opportunity for myself.” That’s not just financing — that’s investing in a voice, in a need to tell this story on his own terms.
Tolerance, closeness, and a shared humanity
Behind the camera, Aly Muritiba had something deeper in mind: a portrait of love and tolerance that goes beyond borders or status. “I was trying to create a story about tolerance, about love,” he explained, emphasizing that immigrants aren’t distant or different — “this guy is just like you, he has fears and dreams and feelings.”
That line stuck with me. Because that’s what really works in America: the way it avoids turning its characters into symbols or lessons. Instead, it shows them as complex, emotional people trying to find their place. And in the middle of it all, the connection between Tom and the writer offers a reminder that even in a divided country, human bonds still matter. To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
Key elements that make America stand out:
- Inspired by Luca Castellani’s real-life immigration experience
- Produced during a politically tense moment for immigrants in the U.S.
- Financed independently by Castellani himself
- Aims to portray immigrants not as stereotypes, but as fully human
- Set against the backdrop of contemporary American social tensions
The short film was presented during a THR Frontrunners event at the San Vicente Bungalows, in a panel sponsored by Aspen Studios and Cinesthesia Factory. While it may be a small film, it clearly carries the weight of big ambitions and even bigger emotions.
Films like America remind us why short films still matter. They give space to personal voices in a way that often gets lost in larger productions. And when done with honesty and vulnerability like this, their impact can be long-lasting. I haven’t even seen the film yet, but I already feel like I know Tom — because I’ve met people like him, and maybe you have too.
