A Dark and Gripping PSA Shows How 'Boys Will Be Boys' Breeds Toxic Masculinity

White Ribbon's short film highlights Canada's Anti-Bullying Day

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The roots of toxic masculinity and gender violence run deep in “Boys Don’t Cry,” an affecting short film from Canadian social-advocacy group White Ribbon, agencies Bensimon Byrne and Narrative, and Academy-award nominated documentary director Hubert Davis.

Told in gripping quick-cut style, the narrative packs plenty of punches—literally and figuratively—into its 3-minute runtime, taking us through key events in a boy’s life, from early childhood through his late teen years. This smart, shy, sensitive kid grows increasingly troubled against a backdrop domestic discord, as well as bullying by his classmates.

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