"We went through a lot to make this film", said the actress, who worked with director Nick Laurant and her husband, actor Chris Marrone, in Los Angeles, to bring to life a script she wrote based on real stories of human trafficking. 

"It was difficult and seeing the film in big movie theaters in Portugal is finally our reward", she said, considering that the reception in the country makes the project worthwhile. The distribution is in charge of Vendetta Filmes.

Spoken in English with several scenes in Portuguese, 'The Girl in the Back Seat' tells the story of Sofia, a Portuguese emigrant who is caught in a human trafficking ring in Los Angeles. Drawing attention to this underworld was one of Kika Magalhães' goals when writing the script. 

"People think this only happens in underdeveloped countries", she said. "That's why we wanted the film to be set in Los Angeles, to show that this doesn't only happen in Mexico. That it happens in big countries like the United States". 

The arrival in Portugal happens after the film has been on the international festival circuit, including 'Dances With Films', where it was in competition. The audience's reaction, said Kika Magalhães, was very positive. 

"People liked the film", she said. "Many were touched", she continued, emphasizing the importance of conveying knowledge about the reality of human trafficking - and the fact that it doesn't only affect people on the fringes of society. 

"Many people didn't even know it was such a big problem", said the actress, considering that there is a taboo associated with this underworld. 

"It's worth going to see the film to learn about human trafficking, it's a very important topic", she continued. "It's rarely discussed, it happens all over the world and it's an industry that makes millions a year and nobody talks about it". 

Her character, Sofia, is a victim of Ryan (Chris Marrone), a charming and seemingly harmless young man. The cast also includes Portuguese actress Ana Lopes (in the role of Xana), Brooke Olivia Borges, who plays Sofia as a child, Helen Day, Jasmine Akakpo, Frank Forbes and Travis Quentin. 

Filmed with a minimal budget, which relied on a lot of 'pro bono' work from the artistic community, the feature film forced the actors to work in sometimes difficult conditions. 

"There are scenes where my mouth is actually trembling because I was so cold", recalled Kika Magalhães. "We made almost the entire film in November and then we filmed small things that were missing in January and February". 

Despite the scarcity of resources, the actress considered that independent art is worthwhile and encourages other filmmakers to invest in projects they believe in, even if they don't have the desired conditions. "I think everyone should follow their dreams", she stressed. "So much work cannot be in vain". 

The actress, born in Famalicão and living in the United States, also stressed that this is a time when there is room for different works, which stand out from the big 'blockbusters'. 

"I think more than ever there is a desire to see new and original things", she said, referring to the fact that much of what has come out of the big studios are 'remakes', sequels and superhero films. 

"The people who are financing the studios are afraid to bet on new and original projects, they are only doing things that already have a guaranteed audience", she said. 

'The Girl in the Back Seat' will be in the NOS Alvaláxia theaters, in Lisbon, Almada Fórum, Parque Nascente, in Porto, Gaia Shopping, Braga Parque, Alma Shopping, in Coimbra, Castello Lopes in GuimarãeShopping and in Cinema City Alegro.

Leia Também: Festival de Cannes começa hoje e tem cinema português (Portuguese version)