Shabu

Shooting the breeze, Shabu (14) hangs around the Peperklip, a striking residential complex in Rotterdam’s Feijenoord neighbourhood. This Rotterdammer with Surinamese roots knows everyone here, and thinks he’s already a star. Later, Shabu is convinced, he’ll become rich and famous. But not just yet, because this summer he’s in the doghouse: he ‘borrowed’ his grandma’s car and crashed it, and now he has to pay for the damage. When selling ices and stacking shelves doesn’t bring in enough, Shabu decides to draw on his musicality, charm, and network.

In this infectious coming-of-age documentary, we follow the charismatic teen over the course of a hot summer, as he carries out his chores, has romantic problems with his ‘wifey’, and hangs around indolently with his friends, alternately taking in and dishing out wisdom. In the background, we regularly hear admonitions from his family, interspersed with the music he always has with him. Winner of the IDFA Award for Best Youth Film in 2021.