Opening Shots - brief film industry notes - Column

Film Comment, Sept, 2000

Pixote (Hector Babenco, 81) In my opinion this film and The King of Comedy are the two greatest films of the Eighties. But as far as influence, there is no denying that Pixote came to me as a revelation, setting the mark by which all realism in cinema should be judged. Pixote contains absolutely no pretense or false moves.

When I close my eyes, I can see little Pixote running down the street with his glue-sniffing compatriots. Little Pixote the redeemer. No truer film exists. Bow to Babenco for the creation of this film. Shortly after its completion, almost all the youths used in the film, including the 10-year-old star, were gunned down in the streets by death squads. They shall endure forever in my memory.