Boys Will Be Boys

“Boys will be boys.” This well-known American saying is the perverse inspiration for a new Mastercard OFF CAMERA section, prepared in cooperation with the SEXEDPL Foundation, founded by Anja Rubik. After all, it has been used to trivialise and tacitly condone various types of toxic behavior among boys. This stems from a patriarchal system in which characteristics such as aggression, lust for power and constant activity are organically linked to boyhood. Needless to say, the last decade has seen rapid cultural and social change, and there is increasing awareness and discussion of toxic masculinity and how to deal with it. The films shown in this section demonstrate that the oppressive gender norms that affect boys are still very much present in the world. Moreover, they challenge these norms and illustrate their harmfulness, both for the boys themselves and for the rest of society. Viewers will have an opportunity to embark on a journey through alternative male models of growing up, right alongside the film characters. At the same time, they can find inspiration for ways to break with traditional patterns and educational models that define the patriarchal order. And maybe even come to the conclusion that boys don’t have to behave like boys at all?