This Brazilian film directed by Marcelo Caetano tells the story of 18-year-old Wellington (Joao Pedro Mariano), in search of his family and in need of a signature to be released from the Youth Detention Center where he has been held for the last two years.

The streets of São Paulo are a picture-perfect scenario where Wellington is parentless and homeless. Wandering in the city by night by a park, he meets old acquaintances, and later on, some of them go to a porn theatre where things like cruising happen.  It’s there he meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a 42-year-old attractive man who looks for money through sex, selling drugs, and also pimps on the side. Ronaldo provides for what Wellington needs, and the movie tells their complex story.

Scars are part of this touching tale of resilience, tenderness, and love.  Ronaldo becomes a guide, sports trainer, father figure, and more to young Wellington,  and when he suggests that he become an escort, Welington agrees.  Then, after an experience they both have with a voyeur client, Wellington names himself Baby.

The film takes us to Sao Paulo´s underworld and shadows, with disco music, laser lights, smartphones, and technology that creates the generation gap that affects the protagonists. The movie also takes us to intimate scenes indoors where humanity emerges.  While Baby looks for his biological family incarnated in his mother (and four-month-old sister), he finds support in Ronaldo´s family,  and in his trans voguing friends his age all togther in the so-called Close Certo group, another family for him.  Baby also meets other men and their reaction adds to the whole. 

The movie is magnetizing to watch because of the situations and sensuality it portraits.  It invites us to reflect on society and life.  For this Antonio Carlos Jobim´s Valse and  Dalida´s Laissez-Moi Danser  are perfect musical choices in context.

PS The film was nominated for the Cannes Queer Palm 2024,and  Ricardo Teodoro received the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award\