Dark Skin
LISBON, 2021
Dark Skin is a short film directed by Graça Castanheira, based on an original concept by Kalaf Epalanga. It follows the journey of six Afro-descendant friends from Lisbon’s outskirts — specifically Porto Brandão and Cacém — as they travel to the Centro Cultural de Belém to attend a show. This narrative offers a reflection on the dynamics between the center and the periphery, the experiences of Black and white communities, and themes of racism and inclusion.
The film was first presented on July 4, 2021, at the CCB in Lisbon. The event featured multiple screenings accompanied by discussions that delved into the issues highlighted in the film, such as racism and post-colonialism. These conversations included various speakers from diverse fields, including urbanism, sociology, architecture, arts, and journalism. Among the speakers were names such as: Angella Graça, António Brito Guterres, Diogo Ramada Curto, Graça Castanheira, Karina Carvalho, Manuel Dias dos Santos, Meirinho Mendes, Paula Cardoso, Ricardo Bak Gordon, Selma Uamusse, and Zia Soares.
As part of the project, I was responsible for capturing behind-the-scenes moments through making-of photography, documenting both the filmmaking process and the discussions that followed.
Through its intimate portrayal of the protagonists’ experiences, Dark Skin invites viewers to reflect on societal structures, spatial segregation, and the ongoing challenges of racial discrimination and inclusion.
Dark Skin is both a visual and social inquiry — an invitation to reflect on the city’s racial and spatial divisions and the experiences of those who navigate them daily.
For a visual excerpt from the film, you can watch the clip on the left.
Graça Castanheira
Kalaf Epalanga
Graça Castanheira
Meirinho Mendes
João Ribeiro
Pedro Freitas
Patrícia Delgado
Joana Cardoso
Maria Abranches
Maria João Mayer
Centro Cultural de Belém