BOYS WILL BE BOYS

BABY

2024 / 107 min / color

An innocent-looking teenager named Wellington (João Pedro Mariano, in an electrifying performance), gets released after two years in a juvenile detention center and tries to find his place in the world. His parents have disappeared without a trace, and he only has himself to rely on. Wandering the streets of Sao Paulo at night, he meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a much older man, who introduces him to the world of sex work. Their fascinating, passionate relationship, complicated by the fact that Ronaldo has a family of his own, becomes a difficult and rather painful growth experience for Wellington. The latest film from Brazilian filmmaker Marceo Caetano had its world premiere at last year’s Cannes Critics’ Week. The director observes his central characters with a great deal of understanding and compassion, presenting audiences with a nuanced portrait of teenage boyhood, layered with the complexities of the social class and sexual orientation of its protagonist.

• Cannes IFF – Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award;
• San Sebastián IFF – Best Latin American Film;
• Rio de Janeiro IFF – Best Film, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor (João Pedro Mariano), Best Art Direction