The film “The Boy with the Pink Pants”, recently presented at the Rome Film Fest, is generating debate among the public, families and institutions. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Teresa Manes, mother of Andrea Spezzacatena, a 15-year-old boy who committed suicide in November 2012 after being a victim of bullying and cyberbullying. During the screening, a group of teenagers made homophobic comments, raising concerns.

In Treviso, several parents protested the screening of the film at a local middle school, claiming that it could have negative effects on their children. However, Mayor Mario Conte expressed contrary opinions, saying that the refusal to screen the film was a loss of opportunity to address important issues such as homophobia and youth distress.

The screening of the work directed by Margherita Ferri was scheduled for November 4th and the school had already reserved seats for the students. Despite this, some families asked the headmistress to cancel the participation of the children. The headmistress agreed to this request but clarified that the event was only temporarily suspended.

Mario Conte commented: “Ignoring these issues is not a solution. Homophobia, depression and suicide are current issues in our society”. He also highlighted the seriousness of the homophobic reactions that occurred in Rome during the screening of the film. Teresa Manes reported on her social profile the insults directed at her son during the event: “Froxio, Ma quando s’ammaxxa, *Gay di mxxxa” are just some of the epithets used against Andrea. The woman highlighted that these attacks continue to hurt even years after his death.

The incident in Rome has also aroused “emotion and indignation” in the Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara. The minister has asked the Regional School Office to identify the perpetrators of the insults during the screening and wishes to meet them personally to discuss their conduct. He hoped that schools would adopt severe measures against those responsible for the uncivil acts that occurred in the cinema.

Valditara questioned how it is possible to live in a society where compassion is lacking: “It is unacceptable not to recognize the pain of others, especially that of a mother or that of a young person who is suffering.” These statements highlight the importance of dialogue and awareness on issues related to bullying and homophobia in schools and in the community at large.