La valle dei sorrisi
The Holy Boy
- Fiction Feature Film
- 122'
drama, horror
- 2025
- Italy, Slovenia
- Basic info
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Synopsis
Transferred to Remis, Italy’s happiest village, teacher Sergio hopes for a fresh start. Instead, he uncovers a sinister cult surrounding Matteo, a mysterious teenage boy believed to erase pain with his embrace. Saving him means confronting the village’s darkest secret.
Director
Director's statement
A horror coming-of-age story about identity, belonging and the value of pain. Set in an idyllic community where happiness is enforced, the film follows queer teenager Matteo as he resists becoming a sacrificial symbol and fights to define himself.
Gallery (3)
Cast
Credits order
Crew
Writing
Direction
Production
Cinematography
Music
Editing
Production design
Costume design
Make-up
Sound design
Directing department
Production department
Art department
Visual effects
Stunts
Casting department
Organizations
production
distribution
Screenings
Competition Co-production Fiction
Festival Screening
Portorož, Slovenia
2026
Extended data
Premiere
30.08.2025 / 82. Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica, Out of Competition, Benetke, Italy
Alternative title
The Holy Boy (English)
Sveti deček (Slovenian)
Sveti deček (Slovenian)
Genres
drama, horror
Production countries
Italy, Slovenia
Languages
Italian
Technical data
Aspect ratio
1,85:1
Duration and length
122'
Colour
Colour
Sound
5.1
Screening formats
digital DCP
FPS
24
Contact the editors
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