Shabu is not having the best of summers. Having stolen and then crashed his grandmother’s car, he owes her €1,200, to be paid at the season’s end when she returns from Suriname. Forced to take on a series of odd jobs, he would much rather be with best friend Jahnoa and girlfriend Stephy, although he often has a hard time choosing between them.

Spurred on by the realities of life in his Rotterdam estate, Shabu decides to stage a block party to showcase his talents as a rapper and get back into his grandma’s good books.

Cheeky, sensitive and – occasionally – wise beyond his years, Shabu is such an entertaining subject, you’ll want to hang out with him long after the film has ended.

Text by Grace Barber-Plentie, BFI London Film Festival