AllMovie

An illiterate newspaper boy who has neglected his education in order to support his family meets a mysterious night watchman who opens the child's eyes to the power of words in a magical tale from director Leonardo Ricagni. Obdulio is an energetic eleven year-old boy who lives in Montevideo with his grandmother and two sisters. The man of the house by default, Obdulio takes pride in the fact that he supports his family by working as a newspaper delivery boy. In his tireless effort to earn a paycheck, however, Obdulio has never even learned how to read. As the Uruguay's Carnival celebrations draw near, Obdulio has a chance encounter with a charismatic night watchman whose magical way with words and soulful renditions of Murgas songs encourage the young adolescent to become more literate. Later, as Obdulio begins to understand the lyrics to the traditional Murgas songs, his attempt at penning an original tune pays off when a mysterious Carnival band agrees to perform the composition.