Inspirational Documentary Reveals Hope for Rio's Slums

Rio de Janeiro, arguably one of the world's most spectacular metropoli, is also famously beset with one of humanity's less forgiving social environs, the favela. Although in the West, the term has become part of household vocabulary thanks to Fernando Meirelles' spine-chilling City Of God, how life truly operates in Brazil's slums remains an enigma to most of us. The common perception of such areas - which, as in the case of Rio, have grown in no small measure atop the city's towering mountains - is that of a violent drug-trade and the continuous and gritty war of attrition between its benefactors and the police. And this would not be entirely inaccurate.

However, in shooting Favela Rising, Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary set out to underline the strength, unity, and creativity that exists within one community, faced with such adversity. This feature-length documentary follows the dream of one man and his group named Grupo Cultural AfroReggae.

Our real-life protagonist is Anderson Sa, a former drug-trafficker who loses several friends in a horrific police massacre in Rio's Vigario Geral Favela. Anderson turns to music by joining the ensemble. Using improvised and borrowed instruments, he leads the group through a ten-year peaceful war against the brutal violence imposed upon the citizens of the Vigario Favela by gangs and police. Through cultural programmes that teach music, dance, literacy and technology, he offers an attractive alternative to the world of crime; the only career route available to many.

Uniquely fusing hip-hop, the rhythms of Brazil, and Afro-Brazilian dance, the popularity of the AfroReggae movement explodes in a short space of time, due not only to its musical appeal but also its message. Despite the group's relentless opposition to gang violence, Anderson wins the respect of the drug lords and finds himself elevated to almost saintly status within the community.

Grainy and beautifully shot, the film captures a rare glimpse into the otherwise impenetrable world of Rio's slums. From the signalling of imminent police raids by the flying of kites, to the peaceful musical gatherings put on by AfroReggae, Zimbalist and Mochary have recorded an eloquent and positive account of Anderson's drawn-out yet determined battle against violence and corruption. Some remarkable footage has been caught on film by favelados themselves, to whom Zimbalist lent his equipment during editing sessions in New York. The end result is a story that simply no film-maker could have predicted: an important, vivacious and inspiring document of unflinching human spirit that needs to be shared with the world.