The Most Beautiful Boy in the World
January 28, 2025 5:00 PM Subscribe
"In The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, a heart-wrenching documentary, co-directors Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri puncture the uneasy vein of child star building, explaining how often the practice ensnares the vulnerable. They do so by telling the story of once Swedish teen idol Andrésen, who at the age of fifteen was cast as Tadzio in Italian director Luchino Visconti’s adaptation of Thomas Mann’s novel Death in Venice. The part would bring the Swedish actor fame, adulation, and adoring fans only for the ensuing noise of stardom to rupture his life, permanently." - Robert Daniels
I don't have an hour and a half to watch the doc, so I simply read Daniels' review.
Movie studios can't abuse non-human animals as much as they used to, what with animal-action monitors now being customary (if not downright required by law). And that's as it should be. But I'm not sure at all that children have similar protection during the casting and filming processes, even though accounts like Andresen's are legion.
Seems that much of the damage in Andresen's life was wrought by the alleged adults in his family. And as long as sex and romance are overemphasized and obsessed about in society and culture, stories like Andresen's will continue to unfold.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 11:27 PM on January 28 [2 favorites]
Movie studios can't abuse non-human animals as much as they used to, what with animal-action monitors now being customary (if not downright required by law). And that's as it should be. But I'm not sure at all that children have similar protection during the casting and filming processes, even though accounts like Andresen's are legion.
Seems that much of the damage in Andresen's life was wrought by the alleged adults in his family. And as long as sex and romance are overemphasized and obsessed about in society and culture, stories like Andresen's will continue to unfold.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 11:27 PM on January 28 [2 favorites]
Pinned for a later watch, for sure. (aside: the loss of editors on major websites is heartbreaking for this editor. my god, that review was an absolute mess.)
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:02 AM on January 29 [3 favorites]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:02 AM on January 29 [3 favorites]
I watched the doc last year. I found it moving. Andresen plays one of the elders who jumps from a cliff in Midsommar, which creates an interesting set of bookends for his career.
posted by LindsayIrene at 9:02 AM on January 29 [2 favorites]
posted by LindsayIrene at 9:02 AM on January 29 [2 favorites]
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posted by mumimor at 6:57 PM on January 28 [1 favorite]