‘BOYS’ captures the chaotic and untameable energy of boyhood. As a girl growing up in
a male-dominated family, I have observed an unbreakable kinship between my brothers
and male cousins. My moving image work follows the boys as they ride motorbikes
through sand dunes, wrestle on the beach, play football on the shore and dash into the
crashing waves – moments that embody both adventure and curiosity. The short,
fragmented clips and crosscutting editing techniques mirrors the fleeting nature of
youth, spontaneity and raw intensity of living in the moment.
The imagery emphasizes the boys' overwhelming presence, making them seem larger
than life, while the silence reflects my quiet existence. I watch them, my stillness
contrasting with their boisterous movements, a reminder that I am both part of this
world and yet not fully immersed in it. I hold space amidst their commotion, a silent
observer, understanding the complexity of my place here. Though I am not one of them,
there’s a joy in being present, in simply watching, in savouring the moment.
The scenes captured in the film are all unscripted, with just me and a camera trying to
keep up with the boys. The observational approach reflects my position within the group
of boys, while the rawness of the piece seeks to convey the experience of a girl who has
grown up as “one of the boys.”