The Brazilian Connection is the second collaboration between Brazilian producer Thiago Palma and American director Drew Stewart. Unlike their first film though, the idea for The Brazilian Connection came from a much more personal place. After months of applying for an O-1 Visa, Palma was rejected and then forced to return to Brazil. Luckily for Palma, he was granted a student visa to return to the US but not until a year after his deportation. In the time in between, Palma invited Stewart down to Brazil to produce a movie. From here, the two came up with the plot line of The Brazilian Connection. The themes and situations in the film are closely inspired by Palma's woes in dealing with the US immigration system.

Film