The sudden encounter between a trans woman with a friendly man while waiting for a late night bus becomes the starting point for a potential relationship. Or so we'd like to think. The girl doesn't seem to have any luck in the love department, and as for the guy he has a dangerous vibe that either becomes an attractive factor but also something to be cautious about. Could something good happen with all of those elements put together? Will she trust life, trust men again after being dumped by one that same night? Watch it and find out.

Despite its title, this isn't about sex, it's about the early use of the word that relates with exchange, what one likes or doesn't like to do, what can connect people or not. In the 1970-80's it was a slang for a lot of things, but later on the word "Transa" became mostly associated with the sexual act. It suits the little storyline in all the ways, but I find it more suitable in the pair forming a connection in their brief conversations, what they have in common and how easily both end up getting closer to each other.

It's a little downer, but not that much. The film manages us to surprise us in many ways, despite some obvious routes - not necessarily cliches.

It has a real tone to everything, so you can feel the scenarios as something real, it doesn't feel invented - except for some of the red flags concerning the dude. But even those things you can feel that happen, a person who brings a sense of problem ahead yet you feel curious just the same and go along in the ride.

Acting is fine, there's a nice balance of humor and drama, but ultimately what conquers viewers is the woman's journey with her inner questionings and the final resolution about what matters most in life. The minds that don't orbit on issues revolving trans people could have a bigger view of some of the challenges faced by such community just by simply watching this short film. 8/10.

Portuguese-language cinema, spanning Portugal, Brazil, and other Lusophone regions, focuses on history, cultural identity, and the struggles of ordinary people, often framed with poetic or allegorical storytelling. In Portugal, cinema has emphasized meditative pacing and philosophical depth, reflecting on memory and tradition. In Brazil, it has often been politically charged and socially vibrant, highlighting inequality and resilience while experimenting with popular and avant-garde forms.

Alexandre Rodrigues in City of God (2002)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

She still believes in love and tenderness, and therefore overcomes the violence and rejection of being a transgender woman with courage and lightness. She goes hand in hand with the daily madness of being herself and while waiting for that bus that never stops, a casual and intense meeting happens.

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Tita Melo and Marina Menezes in Transa (2016)

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