18-year-old Wellington is released from a juvenile detention centre. His parents moved away during his two-year sentence, without leaving any contact information behind for him. Wellington has to fend for himself on the streets of São Paulo, alone. While frequenting an adult movie theatre, he meets Ronaldo, a 42-year-old sex worker. The experienced escort takes the young man under his wing and shows him the red-light district, where Wellington also begins to work under the nickname “Baby”. An ambivalent relationship develops between the two, characterised by closeness and care, but also by dependencies and latent dangers.

“BABY is, even at its most down-and-out, bursting with life. Through all the grit and transactional sex, though, the core of the movie is a tender and sentimental compassion.” (The Hollywood Reporter; Sheri Linden)

Marcelo Caetano, born in Belo Horizonte/Brazil in 1982, has lived in São Paulo since 2004, where he studied social sciences. His first feature film, BODY ELECTRIC, won an award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2017. He then directed two TV series for Canal Brasil. He is the founder of “Desbun Filmes”. His feature film BABY premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Filmography (selection): 2017 BODY ELECTRIC, 2021 HIT PARADE, 2023 NOTICÍAS POPULARES (both TV series), 2024 BABY

Awards (selection): Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award (Cannes International Film Festival, France 2024), Sebastiane Award for Best Latin American Film (San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain 2024)