The Guardian Angel in this harrowing film is the one who doesn't protect gypsy children from being sold into virtual slavery with gangs of organized beggars, pickpockets, and thieves all over Europe. Once "on the job," these young children are treated viciously, and even the mildest disobedience is met with extremely sadistic tortures. However, in this film, even when someone from outside takes an interest in an individual child and tries to help him escape this situation, there is little he can do, because even when the boy is returned to his home village, he is persuaded to sell himself again so his family can eat.