“Socrates” is the kind of downward-spiral narrative bound to sound relentlessly bleak in description. But small wonder Alex Moratto’s first feature won him the Independent Spirit “Someone to Watch”…
’s first feature won him the Independent Spirit “Someone to Watch” Award in January, along with various other prizes along the festival trail: He imbues this unhappy slice of slum life with an energy and compassion that transcends mere miserabilism.
“Socrates” was made with a crew of 16- to 20-year-olds from the Quero Institute, a UNICEF-supported project introducing low-income Sao Paolo youths to filmmaking. Still, this is no obvious “student project” — its assertive vision manifests from the opening shot, a wrenching one in which 15-year-old Socrates frantically tries to wake the mother, whom he discovers lifeless in bed.
Yet the rent is already overdue, and his options are close to nil. Keeping his mother’s death secret as long as he can, he fills in at her janitorial post, claiming she’s just having another “sick day.” But the boss there won’t hand over her pay. His underage status precludes his being hired for regular jobs.
Malheiros’ terrific turn makes this protagonist credibly tough by necessity, and mature beyond his years. Ordakji is also excellent as the not-much-older new friend whose reluctance to be more helpful is, like other backstory elements here, only partly explained later on. Despite the film’s raw realist air, these two actors aren’t amateur discoveries, but rather theater studies graduates making their screen debuts — at no doubt the beginning of long careers.
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