The Stowaway 1995
In this sharp, silent-era-inspired short from 1995, Portuguese auteur Zeka Laplaine crafts a biting satire of Europe's fortress mentality through *The Stowaway*.
Director: Zeka Laplaine
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Stowaway (1995) about?
A determined stowaway sneaks into a European port, only to be chased by a police officer through the city. The 15-minute silent short uses physical comedy and stark imagery to critique border politics and societal exclusion.
Who directed The Stowaway?
Zeka Laplaine directed this provocative short, blending silent-era techniques with modern social commentary.
Who stars in The Stowaway?
The film features António Pires as the stowaway and José Laplaine as the pursuing officer.
Is The Stowaway (1995) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, this 15-minute short packs a punch with its sharp satire and striking visuals. Fans of political cinema or silent-era homages will find it a rewarding watch.
How long is The Stowaway?
The Stowaway runs for 15 minutes.
About The Stowaway (1995) — A 15-minute satire of Fortress Europe's chase
In this sharp, silent-era-inspired short from 1995, Portuguese auteur Zeka Laplaine crafts a biting satire of Europe's fortress mentality through *The Stowaway*. The film follows an unnamed migrant who risks everything to clandestinely reach a European port, only to find himself pursued by a determined black police officer through a labyrinth of urban streets. Shot in black-and-white, Laplaine's direction blends Chaplin-esque physical comedy with stark social commentary, turning a simple chase into a metaphor for exclusion and pursuit. The story's tone is both suspenseful and ironic, capturing the absurdity of borders drawn in ink rather than geography.
*António Pires* and *José Laplaine* deliver wordless performances that amplify the film's universal themes—vulnerability, resilience, and the human instinct to seek sanctuary. Clocking in at just 15 minutes, *The Stowaway* proves that powerful cinema doesn't need length to linger in the mind. It's a pocket-sized provocation, a reminder that the greatest barriers aren't walls or laws, but the stories we tell ourselves about who belongs.