Idea #60 - New Boy

Today we watched the Oscar nominated short film New Boy - a story about an African child who starts school in Ireland after his father is shot, presumably amidst the political disorder in the country at the time, and how he gets along with his classmates as the “new boy” of the class.

Based on a short story written by Roddy Doyle, it truly reflects his art and perspective on life. He is a gifted author who looks at the world through the eyes of children, but never for a split second forgetting the dire circumstances that shape them.

Likewise, in New Boy, while the plot does not actively address racism, bullying, war and other political agendas, the audience knows the context and understands its impact on the little children, taking them back to their own childhood in the most genuine and profound of ways.

It is a story of love, loss, friendship, and the innocence of young minds that makes you want to go back to school and play a game of tag one last time!

Written By: Arya Kastwar

Curated By: Hetvi Kamdar