A large protest march of escaped slaves is an episode in the history of Chico Bondade and Boaventura, who had already become legendary for their difficult and daring missions.

10-year-old Pixote endures torture, degradation, and corruption at a local youth detention center where two of its members are murdered by policemen who frame Lilica, a 17-year-old trans hustler. Pixote helps Lilica and three other boys escape and they start to make their living by a life of crime which only escalates to more violence and death.