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Pixote (1981)

Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco (original title)
R | | Crime , Drama | 18 September 1981 (Brazil)
Pixote Poster
The life of a boy in the streets of Sao Paulo, involved with crimes, prostitution and drugs.

Director:

Hector Babenco

Writers:

Hector Babenco (story), Jorge Durán (story) | 3 more credits »

Stars:

Fernando Ramos da Silva, Jorge Julião, Gilberto Moura | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

See all 1 video  »

Photos

See all 21 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fernando Ramos da Silva Fernando Ramos da Silva ... Pixote
Jorge Julião Jorge Julião ... Lilica
Gilberto Moura Gilberto Moura ... Dito
Edilson Lino Edilson Lino ... Chico
Zenildo Oliveira Santos Zenildo Oliveira Santos ... Fumaça
Claudio Bernardo Claudio Bernardo ... Garatao
Israel Feres David Israel Feres David ... Roberto Pie de Plata
Jose Nilson Martin Dos Santos Jose Nilson Martin Dos Santos ... Diego
Marília Pêra ... Sueli
Jardel Filho ... Sapatos Brancos
Rubens de Falco ... Juiz
Elke Maravilha Elke Maravilha ... Debora
Tony Tornado Tony Tornado ... Cristal
Beatriz Segall ... Widower
João José Pompeo João José Pompeo ... Almir (as Joáo José Pompeu)
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Pixote, a 10-year-old runaway boy, is arrested on the streets of Sao Paulo during a police round-up homeless people. Pixote endures torture, degradation and corruption at a local youth detention center where two of the runaways are murdered by policemen who frame Lilica, a 17-year-old transvesite hustler. Pixote helps Lilica and three other boys escape where they make their living by the life of crime which only escalates to more violence and death. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

boy | life of crime | violence | torture | police | See All (264) »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

18 September 1981 (Brazil) See more »

Also Known As:

Pixote See more »

Filming Locations:

Avenida Paulista, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embrafilme,HB Filmes See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list. See more »

Alternate Versions

All UK versions were cut by 27 secs under the 1978 Protection of Children Act. The scene removed was a panning shot showing Pixote on a bed alongside a couple having sex. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Quem Matou Pixote? (1996) See more »

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User Reviews

 
If this doesn't get to you, you must be made of stone.
12 November 2005 | by shneur – See all my reviews

This is a difficult movie to watch, and would have been even more difficult had I known then that the actor playing the protagonist was in fact killed in his home by police at age 19. Pixote (PeeWee) is a street kid in Sao Paulo who is caught in a roundup triggered by a murder in which he had no involvement. He is committed to a juvenile prison where he witnesses brutality and exploitation that ordinary citizens try very hard to believe doesn't exist. When finally he escapes, he and three comrades survive by the only means they know, which is crime. What makes the film so heart-rending is that both Pixote and the actor portraying him clearly do not wish to be the characters life circumstances have made them. Pixote tries to trust and to love and to bond, but there simply is no room in his world for the gentle side of human nature. One is left at the end wanting desperately to do something for the Pixotes of the world, but what? Building more children's's prisons with higher walls surely is not the answer...
14 of 17 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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