This is a really interesting short film for a few reasons, in its own right it is a sweet sensitive story about love. But it was also created to show in schools in an attempt to educate children about sexuality. So it is a brave film, specially in the context of a very traditional Christian Brazil and it was met by uproar from some parents. But I cannot imagine a film like this being shown in our schools, I know there was certainly no attempt at expanding children's knowledge of sexuality in my schools, either junior or senior. But it is important, children should grow up knowing that loving anyone of any gender is wonderful and neither is right or wrong. Early education must help to reduce the homophobia that is particularly rampant in our society, with frequent cries of 'thats so gay' or 'no homo' and much worse, but it is these casual remarks which give seed to greater discrimination. This film is not overdramatic but is extremely natural and the relationship that develops between Gabriel and Leo is entirely organic and believable.
Leo is blind and I think that it is important as it makes their connection even deeper, this is not lust, but a mutual need of each other. This first shot is important, Leo is looking straight at the camera but because he is blind, it is not confrontational but honest. I think this sets the tone for the entire film
Often Gabriel and Leo and both in the same shot, but Gabriel is deeply out of focus. I like how this emphasises how Leo only hears Gabriel and so his picture of him in his mind is cloudy and unfocused and in order to know him better he has to listen closer and be more perceptive. I think these shots emphasise that deeper connection.
I like how the director plays with classic poses like this one, it looks like a stereotypical boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, but we know only Giovana wants feels this way.
I like this mirroring, as Gabriel absentmindedly taps his hand on the railing while walking home with Leo and Giovanna and we remember this scene when Leo walks home by himself, feeling the wall to know when he is home. I just think it further establishes this idea of connection and Gabriel's sensibility, despite his sight Gabriel is reaching out, he is not satisfied with not interacting with the environment around him, he has a greater developed sensitivity than Giovanna.
Due to his blindness Leo can sometimes be quite passive but I love this scene where he hastily arranges Gabriel to be on his right side to walk him home. It is a moment of authority but powered by his vulnerability and I think this is really interesting antithesis.
This is another example of Leo being in focus and Gabriel just a haze behind. I think this is beautifully shot, as we never fully or clearly see Gabriel but we just get a sense of him, just like Leo must sense him. I think it just communicates these ideas really well.
The film is not particularly sympathetic to Giovanna, she does not react well to Leo telling her about his feelings for Gabriel and her jealousy makes her abandon Leo at school forcing him to walk home alone. The film does not blame Leo for not realising Giovanna's affections but blames the society which has cultivated Giovanna's inability to realise Leo and Gabriel's affections for each other. When she finds out she is disappointed and it is obvious that the possibility that Leo is in love with Gabriel had never crossed her mind. The message is clear, in order for mutual understanding, children must be educated that there is more than just one sexuality.
I think this is a really interesting shot as suddenly it is Gabriel who is in focus and Leo who is blurred, this illustrates really clearly that suddenly Gabriel understands the depth of Leo's feelings, to him all is clear and he has the cutest smile ever.
Once kissed Leo lifts his hand to feel who it is but Gabriel pulls back and leaves. Although on first watching this seems cruel, but it allows Leo to process how he feels without being distracted by gender, and what he has been bought up to believe is right/wrong.
This is the last shot of the film and it is just so joyful, it celebrates the fact that he is loved in return and that it is really that simple.
I really like how the film represents sexuality and tries to show children that the connection of love does not have to be between just a man and a woman and that there are many ways to express it.
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