Favela Rising

Bottom line: A daring and emotional documentary.

Many of the on-camera musings by the subjects of "Favela Rising" might draw eye rolls as part of a Hollywood script: "Somehow I had to fight for something better." "We're using music as an instrument of change." Rehearsed sound bites? Probably, but taken in context, those two quotes represent the heart of this daring and emotional documentary.

"Favela Rising," airing as part of the Cinemax Reel Life series, was shortlisted for an Oscar nom last year -- a nod to its compelling subject matter and filmmaking style. It follows the unlikely saga of AfroReggae, which started as a musical group whose empowering lyrics were aimed at countering the violence that terrorizes their squalid Brazilian slum, or favela. Vigario Geral is a place of "serious suffering and serious rage," where brutal drug lords and brutal police add to the hopelessness and despair of crippling poverty.

Working in the drug trade is the best-paying job available to the young men there; plus, as one interviewee says, "The girls chase the guys with machine guns." AfroReggae evolved into a force of community activism, targeting at-risk youths by creating diversionary programs like percussion and dance workshops.


With the film's litany of positive messages, Cinemax made a judicious decision in scheduling it at a family-friendly hour. But this is no puff piece; it includes plenty of stark images and frank subtitled narration. At one point, a translator is acutely worried about being overheard as the guy he's interviewing matter-of-factly describes how drug lords skin people alive.

"Favela Rising" is a story of grassroots determination that needed to be told and deserves to be seen. And the film, especially its final 20 minutes, elicits seesawing emotions that are bound to leave an impression.