Bons Meninos (2013) Online
A young man, when faced with the possibility of losing his little sister to social services, decides to join the criminal underworld and start dealing drugs in order to pay his father's debts.
| Credited cast: | |||
 | Rúben A. Jesus | - | Johnny (as Ruben Jesus) |
| Martin Gilev | - | Miguel |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Ruben Alexandre | - | Gang Leader |
| Edite Azevedo | - | Female Teacher |
| André Coelho | - | Boss |
| Raul Constantin | - | Gangster #2 |
| José Couto | - | Male Teacher |
| Ana Jesus | - | Carolina |
| Carlos Jesus | - | Father / Interviewer |
| Mauro Viegas | - | Gangster #1 |
Actual drug dealers and drug users acted as such in this film.
One of the symbolisms in the film are the character's clothing. "Johnny" is always wearing black, except in his moment of vulnerability, after getting beaten up by his dad, in which he wears white. Miguel is always wearing white, except when he confronts his boss, in which he's wearing black.
The beanie is used as a metaphor for change. The lead character is presented as a calm and rational person, always preferring the smart approach to situations. However, when pushed to his limits, he embodies a different persona and puts on his beanie. He starts acting a lot more impulsive and his fear vanishes.
The original draft had the main character scare off the gang by claiming a sniper would shoot them if they didn't follow his instructions. He would have proved that by showing the red laser beam on the gang leader's chest. Later, it would have been revealed it was Martin Gilev's character (Miguel) using a cheap laser pointer from a distance. This ending was replaced with the psycho-like moment of "Johnny" as the director thought the original version didn't have the necessary impact for the ending.
The audience never gets to know the real name of the lead character. In the beginning of the film he is mistaken for a drug dealer name 'Johnny'. This happens because the director felt it wold highlight the premise of "nobody knowing who he was" (his partner makes this observation more than once). Martin Gilev's character is called by his name only twice during the entire film. The director felt that investing in the character's attitudes and behaviors and disregarding their real names created an appropriate tone for the film, so the audience could identify with them on a more personal level.