Pelo Malo

HA!R POWER, Wednesday April 19

About the collaboration 

The World Museum Rotterdam and Roffa Mon Amour share a fascination for the diverse and universal stories of human existence world wide. Alongside the exhibition HA!R POWER we’ve created a special film program about hair and identity. 

Presenting the worldwide union between people through the arts is the sweet spot where Wereldmuseum and Roffa Mon Amour meet each other. 

About the film 

Nine-year-old Junior is on a mission to straighten his curly hair. He dreams of becoming a singer and his natural wild curls do not match the image he has in mind. Thick layers of mayonnaise on his head and dress-up sessions with his best friend La Niña will hopefully get him there. 

His obsession drives his hard-working mother crazy who has takes no notice of the kids’ wishes. As a single and unemployed mother there are larger problems and a son acting feminine is the last thing she wants to deal with. 

Junior seeks solace with his grandmother who supports his dreams and together they play with music, dresses and hair accessories.

Pelo Malo, Bad Hair, is a non-judgmental, beautiful coming-of-age about identity film set in the working class in Caracas. The film is praised and prized in the international film industry.

About the context 

How does hair define your identity? It’s one of the questions the exhibition HA!R POWER raises its visitors. A question everyone can answer, but will do so differently. 

Before the film, a talk between Nelly Dos Reis and Caterine Baeten will take place where the audience will engage in the topic of hair, identity, and acceptance.

Local filmmaker Nelly Dos Reis directed the film Liever Kroes (2021) about the acceptance of her natural hair. Caterine Baeten tackles themes such as politics, art & culture, and social inequality through her talk show Disruptie.