Commissioned by Porto's City Hall project "Cultura em Expansão" (Salomé Lama's film, “Ubi Sunt”, being the first), “Russa” is João Salaviza's foray into Porto's incomerciável housing project. By following Russa, a fearless woman who lives in the Aleixo neighbourhood, out on parole, the filmmaker creates a unique and generous depiction of the neighbourhood, which became famous after two of its five tower buildings were imploded. The film is a tribute to those women who persevered in this harsh environment and puts us in an uncomfortable position, by forcing us to face Portugal's economic and social gap. (DR)