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A friendship born on the streets of Barcelona’s suburbs, the desire to overcome the boundaries imposed by society, and the search for a place in the world. “BROS”, directed by Carol Rodriguez Colas and Marina Rodriguez Colas, the final film in competition in the Generator +13 section, moved audiences in Sala Truffaut with an intense and authentic coming-of-age story that perfectly reflects the theme of #Giffoni56.
The film follows Ayman, Rober, and Eric, three fifteen-year-old boys bound by a deep friendship despite their different backgrounds—Morocco, Andalusia, and the Dominican Republic. Raised in the same neighbourhood on the outskirts of Barcelona, they share dreams, fears, and the feeling of growing up in a place that offers protection while at the same time limiting their ability to imagine a different future.
When Ayman meets Sara, the daughter of the wealthy family for whom his mother works, the three friends are introduced to a side of Barcelona they have never known. An invitation to a party becomes the starting point of a journey that forces them to confront their own vulnerabilities, the weight of social inequality, and the true meaning of friendship.
The screening was enriched by a debate with the directors, who explained that the film grew out of a deeply personal experience. “We come from these neighbourhoods ourselves, and we wanted the story to be as authentic as possible. That’s why we cast non-professional actors, who could genuinely capture the reality of those places and of the young people who live there”.
It was a choice that the #jurors immediately appreciated. Valentina, who travelled to Giffoni from Barcelona, pointed out how truthfully the film portrays the everyday lives of Catalan teenagers, presenting their reality without filters.
Aurora, meanwhile, praised the story for avoiding stereotypes: “I really liked this film because it doesn’t try to convince us that these boys are heroes: they’re simply teenagers. It gives them the right to be complex individuals, and it made me think about how often other people are the ones who label us”.
Marina Rodriguez Colas fully agreed with her observation: “Our characters are intentionally imperfect—that’s exactly how we wanted to portray them. Making this film also pushed us outside our own comfort zone. When we were teenagers, we often argued with our best friends, but the next day that bond was still there. That authenticity was what we wanted to capture”.
One of the most thoughtful contributions came from Salvatore, who praised the film’s technical craftsmanship—from its long takes to its screenplay—which immediately draws viewers into the heart of the story. The young juror also connected the protagonists’ journey to this year’s festival theme: “The symbol of impossible things could be Icarus and his wax wings. We young people don’t have strong wings, and we often don’t achieve our goals right away. But unlike Icarus, after we fall, we can get back up and keep chasing the sun”.
His moving reflection led to a question for the directors: what would have changed if the protagonists had been three girls? Carol Rodriguez Colas thanked him for the depth of his analysis before explaining their narrative choice: “We decided to focus on three boys because we felt that, in neighbourhoods like the one portrayed in the film, young men are subjected to an even stronger stigma, especially when social class is involved”.
Exploring friendship, identity, and the desire for a better future, “BROS” paints a heartfelt portrait of adolescence, one shaped by mistakes, courage, and second chances.