Sasà, a thirteen-year-old from the suburbs of Naples has grown up without a father. A lover of hip hop, he dreams of becoming a famous rapper to give his mother a better life. An encounter with Yodi, an old-school Neapolitan rapper, gives hope to his dream; however, the cynical reality of the music world soon forces him to abandon his aspirations and turn to crime. He ends up dealing drugs at school and risks losing everything when he is discovered.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES:
Malavia came from listening to teenagers talk about their interactions with music as an outlet. Talking to them, I noticed two types of reactions: some of them are drawn to the myth of easy money, while others see music as a way to express themselves. This dual vision is especially true in difficult circumstances, when kids are forced to grow up too quickly. That is what happens to Sasà, the protagonist, who shares a passion for rap music with his friends. Sasà's mentor Yodi says something to him which I deeply relate to: "You don't have to chase after trains, you have to be the train!" This is at the heart of the film's message, namely how music can help you to escape from a difficult environment and to make something of yourself.