Tiago Bartolomeu Costa

A theatre having national as part of its name, at the top of a square, reflecting a country’s history. But which one? This is a voyage through the various narratives about D. Maria II National Theatre, forged through the intentions of the several regimes that intended to convey their own ideologies within the theatre’s mission. This is also the story of those who fought against it, opposed the institution and became part of it. How can one become heir of these stories, even if never having set foot inside.

Recognizing the undeniable role of Filipe La Féria in the history of Portuguese theater, this documentary seeks to explore the thinking that drives creation and unveil the philosophy hidden behind the stage.

In the final quarter of 2025, Causas Comuns and the Centro Cultural de Belém launched a project exploring the performing arts through eight weeks of encounters between four artists and four performing arts collectives, focusing on their creative processes and working methods. The film documents this experience, “offering intersecting perspectives on questions such as the relationship with time, a sense of belonging, the identification of a community, theatrical and public performance, anxiety and resistance."

A theatre having national as part of its name, at the top of a square, reflecting a country’s history. But which one? This is a voyage through the various narratives about D. Maria II National Theatre, forged through the intentions of the several regimes that intended to convey their own ideologies within the theatre’s mission. This is also the story of those who fought against it, opposed the institution and became part of it. How can one become heir of these stories, even if never having set foot inside.

In the final quarter of 2025, Causas Comuns and the Centro Cultural de Belém launched a project exploring the performing arts through eight weeks of encounters between four artists and four performing arts collectives, focusing on their creative processes and working methods. The film documents this experience, “offering intersecting perspectives on questions such as the relationship with time, a sense of belonging, the identification of a community, theatrical and public performance, anxiety and resistance."