O Pico

"O Pico" is a short fiction film that tells the story of Kai, a 17-year-old black teenager who lives several contradictions typical of his age

  • Matheus Vieira
    Director
  • Ricardo Roque
    Director
  • Matheus Vieira
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Brazil
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - UFSCar
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Matheus Vieira, Ricardo Roque

Matheus José Vieira, 35, is a researcher, director, screenwriter and photographer. Member of the Brazilian Association of Cinematography (ABC). Mastering in the Graduate Program in Image and Sound (PPGIS) at Ufscar, he studied Audiovisual Production at Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá. He directed the series Jazzpora (2021), Emicida and Rael Convidam Mano Brown (2019), NaEstrada com Rael (2018) and also the short films O Pico (2022), Youth, Democracy and Political Participation (2022) and Taxa de Retorno (2021)

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Director Statement

I am thrilled to present my latest short film, "O Pico" (The Peak). This film goes beyond the realm of traditional art; it's a lens into the marginalized world of 'pixadores' - practitioners of 'pixação,' a distinctive form of graffiti originating in Brazil - affirming their cultural and artistic importance.

The narrative centers on Kai, a 17-year-old Black teenager living in the outskirts of Ribeirão Preto, a city in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. Like many of his age and circumstances, Kai grapples with the inherent contradictions of his life - navigating academic endeavors while indulging in an art form often perceived as illicit. Kai longs for the kind of recognition many artists around the world seek; for him, it means reaching the highest wall and transforming it into his canvas.

Kai is more than just a pixador; he's an artist adept at intertwining his cultural roots into his work. He oscillates between the traditional Brazilian celebration Folia de Reis and the contemporary art of pixação, merging popular elements from his cultural heritage into his art. In a narrative echoing biblical stories, a clown character from the Folia de Reis helps Kai evade the police, creating an engaging intersection of mythology, tradition, and contemporary expression.

One unique aspect of this film is its cast, comprising non-actors, many of whom reside on the outskirts of Ribeirão Preto. These individuals, many encountering a camera for the first time, bring a level of authenticity and rawness integral to the story. Selected by the PROAC/SP Cultural Action Program under Edict 48/2021, this production stands as a testament to the talent and indefatigable spirit dwelling within society's margins.

"O Pico" (The Peak) is a short film that seeks to portray the lives and struggles of marginalized individuals. It reflects the challenging reality of producing a film in the countryside of São Paulo State, amid limited resources and difficulties in accessing production equipment. Nevertheless, we persist, driven by our belief in the importance of telling this story.

I firmly believe that "O Pico" deserves to be shared with the world. This isn't solely Kai's story; it's a reflection of the countless young people living in Brazil's outskirts, endeavoring to express their art and voices in unique ways, despite facing challenges and marginalization.

I hope that you will enjoy "O Pico" as much as we enjoyed creating it.