'The Most Beautiful Boy in the World' Review | Hot Docs 2021

The 2021 Hot Docs Festival will be available for audiences across Canada to stream April 29 to May 9. Hot Docs is the largest documentary focused film festival in North America and the line-up this year is absolutely incredible.

Check out my full coverage of Hot Docs 2021!

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021)

Director: Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindstrom
Producer: Stina Gardell

Synopsis: In 1971 at the world premiere of Death in Venice (1971) in London, Italian director Luchino Visconti proclaimed Björn Andrésen, the teen star of his latest film, "The most beautiful boy in the world.” This is the story of a boy who was thrust to international stardom for his iconic looks and lived a life of glamour. 50 years later, Björn looks back.

Review:

Haunting. That's the best word to describe The Most Beautiful Boy in the World.

From the first few scenes of the film where we see archival footage of Björn Andrésen's audition for Death in Venice, there's a level of discomfort that sets the tone. The documentary follows Andrésen as he reflects on his immense stardom at a young age, and also confronts tragedies in his adult life. Andrésen returns to Tokyo where the pandemonium over his face reached a fevered peak, as well as Venice where the movie that shot him into temporary stardom was filmed. Each step of the way, we are flies on the wall observing Andrésen and his friends and family.

There is a lot of cinematic elements to The Most Beautiful Boy in the World. The stark contrast between his youthful face and seemingly glamorous teenage years to the present is emphasized by the directors Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindstrom decision to shoot under a cool tone colour grade -- adding to the lonely figure Andrésen is in adulthood. Petri and Lindstrom also play with dark shadows at the beginning of the film, initially hiding Andrésen's face playing on the audience's natural curiosity of what "the most beautiful boy in the world" looks like today. There is also an incredible shot right at the end with Andrésen on a beach looking out to the waters that I'm not going to spoil but it is tremendous and effective.

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World is a very sombre reminder of the impact the entertainment industry can have on its young stars. Andrésen, remarkably, doesn't seem to hold a grudge or bitterness for what negative effect his stardom had on his life -- even though it wasn't his decision to audition in the first place. But ultimately, there is a feeling of optimism and hopefulness that Andrésen has found peace.

This is an incredibly well done documentary that is worth checking out, especially if you're familiar with Andrésen as a young actor. But even if you aren't, it's a fascinating portrait of a man.

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World is streaming in Canada via Hot Docs until May 9.

Thanks to Hot Docs for the screener!