The Way He Looks, created by Brazilian writer and director Daniel Ribero attempts to tackle the innocence of adolescence and the clichéd ‘coming-of-age’ story. The only difference to former films, and the irony of the title is that the central character, Leonardo (Guillherme Lobo) is blind.

Struggling to find his independence, frustrated and embarrassed by his situation, he just wants to be normal and control his own life. His best-friend, Giovanna (Test Amorim), taunted with the name ‘human walking-stick’ is his assistant in getting him to and from school.

That is until Gabriel (Fabio Audi), a new boy at their school joins. Everything about it was love at first sight for Leonardo and him, expect literally. Soon, as he befriends them and friendship and jealousy triangle intensifies as does the relationship between them into homosexuality.

Beautifully crafted, The Way He Looks in terms of narrative blossoms organically, not pushed but sensitive and gentle. Based on the directors own previous short-film, and with the same actors on returning, the feature is filled with more story and emotional curating it into a mesmerizing and minimalist independent gem.