The Material Boy

An Italo-American teenaged girl in Michigan, with a Catholic family, becomes pregnant. To avoid both a scandal and an abortion, she secretly gives birth to a boy in hospital, which is run by nuns. They establish a false identity for him and arrange to have him brought up in Argentina. At the age of 18, the boy discovers that his biological mother is Madonna Ciccone, who, after giving him up, became the iconic international pop-culture mega-star.

Directed by Luizo Vega, The Material Boy leans on a strong ensemble — Luizo Vega, Madonna, Bruce LaBruce — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2015.