Ross simply shows how each boy sees the world, drawing attention to where their gaze drifts. He prioritises their individual humanity, by illustrating their inner lives.

One of the biggest conceptual swings of recent years, but never once feels uncertain or opportunistic, or even show-offy in an Oscar-baiting manner. It’s ingenious and also empathetic: a rare mix worthy of deconstruction and celebration.

By putting you in the literal point-of-view of its characters, the film becomes an empathy machine.

Time will tell whether this is a masterpiece and a bold new vision or simply a familiar story of racial oppression told in a gimmicky way.