Direction: Alexandre Moratto
Country: Brazil
Executive produced by Fernando Meirelles (City of God; The Constant Gardner; The Two Popes) and co-produced by Rahmin Bahrani (Goodbye Solo; Chop Chop; 99 Homes), this feature directorial debut from Alexandre Moratto is convincingly real in its portrayal of a young gay black boy, who after his mother's death, is left with the challenge of surviving by himself on the vile streets of São Paulo.
Unrespected and abandoned by his estranged conservative father, 15-year-old Socrates (Christian Malheiros) faces the possibility of going to an orphan’s asylum. Feeling the pressure to pay rent, which is already behind, he starts desperately looking for a job, a difficult task since he is still a minor. There’s no time to properly mourn for his loss, and he occasionally drowns his sorrows in cheap alcohol.
While seeking a way out, he gets physically and emotionally involved with Maicon (Tales Ordakji), a young man with whom he temporarily worked in a junkyard, but soon finds out that their relationship is not to last.
The rawness of the images combines with the poignancy of the story in a honest examination of a young life shattered by several social problems. Although scripted with plenty of incident, Socrates presents a mediocre conclusion. However, that aspect doesn't undermine the severity and importance of the topics addressed. Quite strong are the first appearances from young actors Malheiros and Ordakji.
