Baby - Queer Cinema Preview

In this poignant queer coming-of-age story, 18-year-old Wellington finds himself homeless on the streets of São Paulo, forced to navigate life on his own. His journey into adulthood and self-discovery is shaped by a series of men he grows close to after entering the world of sex work.

After spending two years in juvenile detention, Wellington is released only to discover that his parents have abandoned him, leaving him homeless. Fortunately, he meets a group of troublemakers who introduce him to scams, theft, and his first experiences with sex work. Everything changes when Wellington meets Ronaldo, a man 20 years his senior. Ronaldo, a seasoned sex worker, begins mentoring Wellington in both the escort business and drug dealing while falling in love with his “baby.”

This urban tale delves into themes of stigma and liberation, with director Marcelo Caetano casting actors directly from the streets and focusing on São Paulo’s LGBTQ+ community. The film relies heavily on non-professional performers and employs a voyeuristic camera style to capture characters who must balance living in the spotlight with hiding in society’s shadows.