Private Project

ROAD TO RIO - The Street Rascals World Cup

In greater Fortaleza in the north of Brazil there were 12,777 children and adolescents recorded to be in child labour, living and working on the streets in 2013.

ROAD TO RIO follows 9 of them who won the chance to play in the 2014 Street Child World Cup.

We witness the children go on a inspiring, emotional and often amusing journey as they prepare and play in the tournament.

This is more than a fascinating window into the lives of street children, this their chance to shine!

This documentary was made with the low budget of £6,000 and aired in 19 Countries in 2015 and 2016. Broadcasters include: S4C, AIR CANADA, BBC iPlayer, PRESS TV, GLOBO & CNEX CHINA.

  • Nathan Erasmus
    Director
    One eskimO
  • Leonardo Scavone
    Director
  • Guilherme Torralvo
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    ROAD TO RIO - The Little Rascals
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Brazil
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil
  • Language:
    English, Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Sony FS700 & Canon 5D
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The Rio Festival of New Cinema
    Copacabana, Rio
    April 1, 2015
    Brazil Premiere
    Winner
  • The Kids Festival
    Spain
    April 6, 2015
    Spanish Premiere
    Winner - Best Kids Documentary
Distribution Information
  • Sideways Film
    Rights: Video on Demand, Airline, Free TV, Paid TV
Director Biography - Nathan Erasmus, Leonardo Scavone

Nathan has produced several shorts before but this is his directors debut

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In Brazil a lot of people desensitise themselves to the statistics of child murders and deaths. If a policeman shoots a kid from a favela but tells the news the kid was involved in a gang or drugs then the policeman is a hero. It's a far cry from the Ferguson riots in US when a cop shot a teen. We made this film with no budget - we just thought these kids are so beautiful, charismatic and talented that they deserved a voice and a chance to connect with the Brazilian public whilst they experience the best thing that's ever happened to them. They have given us an entertaining documentary that hopefully resonates with the Brazilian viewers (and internationally) and can help these kids from Fortaleza and Recife raise some positive awareness and change into their own lives and the lives of other Street Children all over Brazil