On the surface, 'Aniki Bobo' (the title comes from a childrens' rhyme) is a simple tale about children, the games they play, the fights, and the friendships they are involved in. But the film has adult themes of guilt, sin, desire, and jealousy that pervade the whole story. The film centres around Carlitos, an outsider from the main group, who attempts to 'buy' his friendship by stealing a doll form the local 'Shop of Temptations'. Once accepted he becomes the object of jealousy from another boy, as they are both fighting for the same girl! Accused of revenge, after being falsely blamed for an accident, the shopkeeper, who has been searching for the thief, eventually saves Carlitos.
The film is beautifully filmed around the director's home town, Oporto, in Portugal, and has a cast, almost entirely made up of the local children. It's warm-hearted and magical...and a welcome relief from the usual saccharine 'childrens' movies.
The film is beautifully filmed around the director's home town, Oporto, in Portugal, and has a cast, almost entirely made up of the local children. It's warm-hearted and magical...and a welcome relief from the usual saccharine 'childrens' movies.