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Start20 NOV 2025
30 NOV 2025End
Baby (EN)

Baby (EN)

MARCELO CAETANO | BRAZIL | 2024 | 107 MIN | PORTUGUESE EST

MARCELO CAETANO | BRAZIL | 2024 | 107 MIN | PORTUGUESE EST

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Synopsis

PORTUGUESE • ENGLISH ST | Wellington (defiantly nicknamed Baby) trades his detention centre cell for the streets of São Paulo, absorbed into the life of an in-demand “escort” with old school methods. Torn between this erotic father figure, two chosen families, and the mother who left him, Wellington must discern which link is the strongest. Against a backdrop of corrupt cops, vengeful kingpins, and Brazilian ball culture, maybe-18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) falls for 42-year-old sex worker cum drug dealer Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), who has a son not much younger than Wellington being raised by lesbian mothers. The two share a charged, teasing bond with yo-yoing power dynamics. Wellington softens Ronaldo, schooling him in voguing’s ebullience and showing him his battle scars, while Ronaldo grounds his protege, giving him boxing lessons while doling out paternal advice and setting strict boundaries. Boundaries that Ronaldo is desperate to maintain and Wellington comes to resent when youthful potential and a biological parent draw him away. Propelled by Marcelo Caetano’s stylish direction, this gritty coming-of-age tale wrestles with themes of love and coercion, considering what’s still possible for a restless heart when a ‘baby’ becomes a man.

Trailer

Filmmaker Bio

Marcelo Caetano, born in the State of Minas Gerais but now based in São Paulo, directed the feature film Body Electric which premiered in Rotterdam in 2017. He also directed the TV series Hit Parade and Noticias Populares both broadcasted on Canal Brasil. He has worked on various productions as an assistant director and casting producer. In 2009, Marcelo co-founded Desbun Filmes.

Producer

Stienette Bosklopper, Marcelo Caetano, Juliette Lepoutre, Ivan Melo, Pierre Menahem, Ana Rabelo, Maarten Swart, Beto Tibiriça

Writer

Marcelo Caetano, Gabriel Domingues

Cinematographer

Joana Luz, Pedro Sotero

Cast

  • João Pedro Mariano
  • Ricardo Teodoro
  • Ana Flavia Cavalcanti
  • Bruna Linzmeyer
  • Luiz Bertazzo
  • Marcela Varzea
  • Patrick Coelho
  • Kyra Reis
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