the violent death of fernando ramos da silva only eight year after the completion of this film and only add to the poignancy of dierector babenco powerful message . the film be split into two half the first in a reformatory where a group of youngster be abuse and violate by the violent law enforcer and guardian . the second backdrop be the city where they be confine instead by their own action and morality and which include mugging and pimping and kill different character who enter their life . the differ gender and sexual role in the film allow for constant change in the character a they interact with other people . particularly interesting be teh character of lalica and a transvestite who be mother and lover to some of the child . her reaction to the arrival of sueli and a prostitute be both poignant and tragic . there be no happy end to this story and i reccomend to watch it with caution a there be some very uncomfortable scene to watch especially in teh opening twenty minute . but whilst watch it and it be important to remember that this be not just a fictional tale . the actor be not trained professional but instead boy select from the streetsof sao paulo . they actually live this life that be portray so vividly on screen and in da silva case and die at the hand of the police who be depict so brutally . a documentary . a piece of fiction . it border on both but it certainly make for heart wrench material and be a film that actually leave you breathless and thinking long after have watch it . positive .