20 Most Controversial Film Performances Of All Time

By Shaun Lappin / March 7, 2013

10. Leo Fitzpatrick (Kids)

Larry Clarke's 'Kids' follows a 16 year old Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), who sets out to have sex with as many virgins as possible, unknowing of the fact that he is HIV positive and infecting innocent young girls left, right and centre. One of his victims, who is aware of his infection that she has contracted from him, sets out to stop him before he destroys the lives of other girls. Leo Fitzpatrick's Telly is a shocking example of the ignorance and indeed arrogance that comes with youth. He is blissfully unaware of his infection and under a false sense of chauvinism; he feels his conquests are something to be proud of - "If you deflower a girl man, you're the man. No one can ever do that again. You're the only one. No one, no one, has the power to do that again." Telly is an extreme example of youth in the mid 1990s, at a time where HIV was rife in lower class New York. It may not be hugely relevant to all societies, but it is not an example that should be taken lightly. His performance is one that displays great fearlessness from such a young actor.