VLAFF 2014: A blind gay teen falls in love in The Way He Looks
In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Blind teenager Leo (played by the amiable Ghilherme Lobo) is virtually inseparable from his best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim), who helps him navigate his world physically and socially in São Paulo. They do everything together, including fending off the school bullies that pick on Leo.
That is, until the attractive new student Gabriel (Fabio Audi) enters the picture. Although Gabriel quickly garners attention from the girls, he seems content to be chums with Leo.
Leo and Gabriel become fast friends, making Giovana feel like a third wheel. As Leo tries to find his place among his peers, who are busy pursuing with their own attractions, Leo finds himself developing feelings for the loyal Gabriel. Giovana also finds herself competing against the class flirt (or, as she calls her, “slut”), Karina, for Gabriel's affections. (Ah, to be a teenager again!)
These developments are set against the backdrop of building tensions within Leo's family.
Leo’s steps towards independence, such as planning to go on an international exchange or his dreams of wanting to live on his own as an adult, are blocked by his sheltering parents or discouraged by his grandmother. While the themes are the usual adolescent ones, they take on added dimension as a blind person outgrowing and feeling constrained by the safety net of his family.
This gentle, coming-of-age Brazilian drama is cleanly constructed, sensitive, and well shot, with much charm overcoming some standard teen material. At times, the narrative leans too heavily towards understatement, erring on the minimalist side with the romantic tension between Leo and Gabriel. Although blind and gay issues are essential to the narrative, writer-director Daniel Riberio doesn't make them the sole attraction and instead, the universal issues wisely extend the film's appeal to a broader audience.
The Way He Looks will be screened at the Brazilian Gala at the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival at Vancity Theatre on Thursday (September 4) at 7:30 p.m. and at a Youth Screening at the Cinematheque on Friday (September 5) at 9 p.m.
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