The Swap (2020)

• 79%
• 2020
• Comedy
• Science Fiction
• Pedro M. Afonso
• João Delgado Lourenço
• Tiago Ribeiro
• Gabriela Melo

In a society where disease and death have been eradicated, the Earth is crowded and birth rates are now controlled by the Popular Liberation Party. The only way to renew the species is to choose volunteers to die and make room for new lives. In the waiting room of the Birth Registration Building, José waits for the arrival of the Officer in charge, at which point he will proceed with the legal procedures necessary to effect the birth. The arrival of the Officer brings bittersweet news: José is the father of twins, a last minute setback. José doesn't have two volunteers to make the replacement. The Officer reminds José of his responsibilities and gives him a small deadline extension: 1 hour. In the light of such a short deadline, José clings himself to his cell phone and tries to contact countless people, having only enlisted his mother as a volunteer. After the deadline, José returns to the waiting room, where he awaits the arrival of the Officer. Confronted by the Officer, José volunteers himself to serve as the second volunteer. The Official provides one last option: an anonymous volunteer, chosen by him, under the payment of a large sum of money. José does not have that amount, but the Officer reassures him: he can pay using credit. Having made the decision, the Officer sends José to his office and, on the way, recruits the volunteer for his most recent business: the Building's Janitor.