Evoking the metropolitan unease and pulsating life of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's gripping drama zooms in on those who live on the fringes of an perpetually shifting metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; abandoned by his parents, the innocent young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his lively group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler significantly older than his age. Illuminated by the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their introductory rendezvous is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and drug dealing.
Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding rather than as a exploitative warning story. Now using the alias Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his customers, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.
In the hectic energy of São Paulo, overflowing with crowded backstreets and colourful shopfronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for temporary happiness.
"The streets might be riddled with risk, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."
Ronaldo is both a lover and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by possessiveness and monetary insecurity. Threats from nefarious characters in the underworld are overshadowed by the dread of institutional observation and incarceration, represented by the hovering figures of police officers on patrol.
Baby is especially potent as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film stands as a poignant examination into survival, non-biological kinship, and the pursuit of self within a harsh urban landscape.
Maya is a seasoned travel writer with a passion for uncovering exclusive destinations and sharing practical tips for luxury travelers.
