Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco (Pixote) (Pixote, the Law of the Weakest) (1981)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(2,160 ratings)

The Brazilian Pixote so closely resembles the films of Luis Buñuel that one is almost shocked to see writer/director Hector Babenco's name on the credits. This is hardly the only shock in this near-hallucinatory cinematic experience. The title character, played by Fernando Ramos da Silva, has been… More The Brazilian Pixote so closely resembles the films of Luis Buñuel that one is almost shocked to see writer/director Hector Babenco's name on the credits. This is hardly the only shock in this near-hallucinatory cinematic experience. The title character, played by Fernando Ramos da Silva, has been abandoned by his parents and is scrounging for a living on the streets. Pixote survives by becoming a drug-dealer, pimp and murderer...and he's only ten years old. One of the first films to address the plight of Rio de Janeiro's street kids, Pixote combines stark realism with symbolic imagery. The film is based on José Louzeiro's novel Infancia dos Martos. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Hector Babenco
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: May 5, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: Unifilms

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey, Daily Radar
"Pixote" is an amazing cinematic social document made with fury and passion by an uncompromising director. There has never been another film that approaches its depiction of Brazil's condemned youth, not even "City of God."
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Hector Babenco's masterpiece.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
'Pixote' grandfathered other reality-based slum violence efforts heavier in their visual mayhem but not any more so in emotional impact.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though shapeless, Hector Babenco's docu-style social expose about homeless kids in Brazil contains some of the most harrowing scenes about street children in any film; a companion piece to Bunuel's Los Olvidados and De Sica's Bicycle Thief and Shoeshine
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
A harrowing film about a destitute youth living in Brazil.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Pierluigi P

A not so pleasant peek into the slums of latin america. Few films achieve such heartwrenching misery and crudeness. No MTV videoclip style of cinematography and editing, just rough reality and real poor kids making a few bucks while pouring their hearts and minds in front of a camera.
Lucas M

The cold reality of homeless children, that do everything to survive in a cruel brazilian society. A shocking film, a social critic cinematographic with great actors. Better that Fernando Meirelles's City of God. Fernando Ramos da Silva (1967-1987) and Jorge Juliano made a… More
The cold reality of homeless children, that do everything to survive in a cruel brazilian society. A shocking film, a social critic cinematographic with great actors. Better that Fernando Meirelles's City of God. Fernando Ramos da Silva (1967-1987) and Jorge Juliano made a wonderful job, just like Babenco and the another actors.
Adam M

unlike City of God, this is the movie about Brazilian street kids that has unflinching sensitivity toward its characters no matter how horrible their lives become. COG quickly turns the kids into material for an MTV-hyper Goodfellas