FFFA - The Holy Boy
In Paolo Strippoli’s queer coming-of-age story, Italy’s happiest village hides a horrifying secret: a teenage boy with supernatural abilities absorbs his community’s suffering. Paolo Strippoli’s follow-up to his acclaimed debut A Classic Horror Story (2021) arrives carrying serious festival fanfare: a Venice Midnight world premiere, a BFI London Film Festival berth, and a Shudder acquisition for North America. But The Holy Boy is no conventional genre exercise. Behind its folk horror scaffolding, Strippoli excavates something rawer: a queer coming-of-age story wrapped in religious dread, interrogating how communities weaponise vulnerability and call it love. Grief-stricken teacher Sergio (Michele Riondino) transfers to Remis, a remote Alpine village bafflingly known as Italy’s happiest town. The secret behind those relentless smiles soon reveals itself. Each week, the villagers queue to embrace Matteo (Giulio Feltri, extraordinary in his screen debut), a 15-year-old who the village has crowned its living saint, capable of absorbing strangers’ suffering with a single embrace. Where others see a miracle, Sergio sees a dehumanised child, controlled by his father and the local clergy. His attempt to liberate Matteo fractures the village’s enforced serenity and awakens something far darker beneath it. Festival Appearances & Awards Venice International Film Festival 2025 – World Premiere BFI London Film Festival 2025 — Official Selection SLASH Film Festival Vienna 2025 — Official SelectionPT2H2M18+2026-04-24Michele Riondino
Giulio Feltri
Paolo Pierobon
Romana Maggiora Vergano
Roberto Citran
Paolo Strippoli
FFFA - The Holy Boy"FFFA - The Holy Boy"Showtimes
April 24, 9:00 pm
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