Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco (Pixote)
1980
****½
Director: Héctor Babenco
Cast: Fernando Ramos da Silva, Jorge Julião, Gilberto Moura, Edilson Lino, Zenildo Oliveira Santos, Claudio Bernardo, Israel Feres David, Jose Nilson Martin Dos Santos, Marília Pêra, Jardel Filho
Pixote is a ten‑year‑old Brazilian boy whose life is a constant struggle, whether enduring the cruelty of a juvenile detention centre or surviving on the streets amidst crime, drugs, and prostitution. Hector Babenco's tragic and moving docudrama offers an unflinching portrayal of the life of a street kid. This story, which explores the loss of innocence, is graphic in its depiction of systemic exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse. So much so, that it would probably not pass the censors these days. The cast features mostly amateur actors, and they give terrific performances. Based on José Louzeiro's 1977 book A Infância dos Mortos.
