Boy

In Boy, a college-aged rent boy exposes the truth about the death of a girl in a hit and run accident. Using typography that hovers on screen in place of dialogue, flares of bold colour, dioramic frames, and brutal portraiture reminiscent of American photographer Dianne Arbus, director Welby Ings creates a powerful vision of claustrophobia and sexual violence in small town New Zealand. The film gained acclaim both at home and internationally. It played at a long run of film festivals, and was judged Best Short Film at American fest Cinequest.

I approached Boy as a typographer and illustrator, not as a filmmaker. That in itself was unconventional … the result is a visually intense film that deals with an aspect of New Zealand society seldom discussed. I really wanted to offer something new to film and its success vindicates the approach I took.

– Writer/director Welby Ings on Boy

Key Cast & Crew

Jesse Lee

As: Boy

Welby Ings

Director, Writer, Production Design

Nic Finlayson

Producer, Cinematographer

Bryan Bevege

As: Driver

Tammy Warwick

As: Delwyn

Brenton Cumberpatch

Animator