10 Films About Street Kids That Will Move You

Description: Charlie Chaplin's silent film classic where he plays a tramp who takes in an abandoned child, offering a heartwarming look at the bond between a street urchin and his unlikely guardian.

Fact: This was Chaplin's first feature-length film and introduced his character, The Tramp, to a feature-length audience.

Description: A Brazilian film about a young boy named Pixote who escapes from a juvenile detention center and lives on the streets, engaging in crime to survive. It's a grim portrayal of street life in Brazil.

Fact: The film was controversial for its depiction of child prostitution and was banned in several countries.

Description: This documentary captures the lives of homeless and runaway teenagers in Seattle, offering a raw and compassionate look at their daily struggles and dreams.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and inspired the book "Streetwise" by Mary Ellen Mark.

Description: Set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, this Brazilian film follows two boys growing up in the 'City of God,' one becoming a photographer and the other a drug dealer. It's a raw depiction of how street life can shape destinies.

Fact: The film was shot in real favelas, and many of the actors were actual residents of these communities. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Description: Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini, this film explores the friendship between two boys in Kabul, one of whom ends up living on the streets after political upheaval. It's a story of guilt, redemption, and the bonds that transcend class.

Fact: The film was shot in China due to security concerns in Afghanistan, and the young actors learned to fly kites for their roles.

Description: This Indian film tells the story of Krishna, a young boy who ends up on the streets of Bombay after being sent away from home. It's a poignant look at the lives of street children in India.

Fact: The film won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: This adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel focuses on Oliver, an orphan who falls in with a gang of pickpockets in Victorian London. It's a timeless tale of a street child's struggle for a better life.

Fact: Directed by Roman Polanski, this version is noted for its gritty realism and faithful adaptation of the source material.

Description: While not exclusively about street kids, this film features a young boy, Jamal, who navigates life in the slums of Mumbai, eventually finding success on a game show. It's a tale of hope and the resilience of street children.

Fact: The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was adapted from the novel "Q & A" by Vikas Swarup.

Description: A documentary that follows the lives of homeless children living in the Leningradsky railway station in Moscow, offering a stark look at the reality of street life in Russia.

Fact: The film won several awards at international film festivals and provides an unfiltered view of the children's lives.

Description: While not solely about street children, this Chinese film includes scenes of a young boy's journey home, highlighting the challenges faced by those without a stable home environment.

Fact: The film was Zhang Yimou's first venture into a more commercial style of filmmaking, moving away from his earlier, more politically charged works.