Favela Rising (2005)

Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary's documentary is a major achievement in nonfiction filmmaking a vibrant important work that is as inspiring as it is tragic. The narrative centers on Anderson S a distinguished-looking young man who grew up in the worst of Rio di Janiero's infamously violent favelas Vig rio Geral. Though most residents of this extremely impoverished community do their best to cobble together a piecemeal living the neighborhood is ruled over by murderous drug lords whose average age of death is between 14 and 25 years old. In 1993 after one of these men murdered a few notoriously corrupt cops the military police retaliated by brutally and randomly murdering 21 innocent favela residents. One of these victims was S 's younger brother. Rather than allow the anger and despair to propel him into a place of darkness and revenge S decided to stop the cycle of violence using the universal language of music as his conduit to social awareness and rebellion. Mobilizing like-minded friends and musicians he started a newsletter and a band to perform his upbeat yet courageously honest music which featured lyrics about the massacre and police brutality. The filmmakers track S s project as it evolves from a small newsletter to a bona fide national music with childhood musical education being a top priority.Beautifully shot with visually stunning graphic elements added FAVELA RISING brings vibrance and color to one of the most downtrodden settings on earth imbuing its people with honor. The access the filmmakers got to the residents from regular families to masked men with machine guns is incredible. In the end though it is the music that is the real star of the show which demonstrates the truly remarkable power of song and rhythm to transform lives.System Requirements:Run Time: 82 mins Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 796019798198 Manufacturer No: 79819 Product Description

Inspiring...

This is an inspiring look at how social change can occur even in the most dire and violent circumstances. The video details how one man had a vision of a nonviolent community and changed his ways along with many of the youths. Recommended July 3, 2008

Should be required viewing

Five minutes away from Rio's gorgeous beaches is Hell. The images of the favella are haunting, esp for an American living a lifestyle so radically different. Every American child should have to watch this film. Most importantly, it is a story of redemption. How one person can transform an entire circle of hell into a place of hope, joy and illumination. Each element of the film -- the visuals, the music, the interviews, the unfolding reality -- could, in itself, carry the weight of the story. It is brilliantly structured and Matt Mochary, who came and saw and filmed, is to be praised for his restraint in letting the facts speak for themselves, his refusal to look away, and his obvious compassion. One finishes viewing the documentary with an odd sort of elation -- that even in the darkest places, hope works miracles. March 9, 2008

Really Demonstrates How Much Hope Matters

I recently showed this documentary to 9th Grade Geography students as part of a unit on South America, and they loved it. The documentary really shows how difficult life is, the challenges favela residents face, and the hopelessness growing up in the favela causes. It also is great at focusing on a group that was able to bring pride, hope, and an alternative to their neighborhood. This film helped my students appreciate America more and realize that the problems we have here are miniscule in comparison. The music in the film is excellent, too. March 4, 2008

Shiva Effect in Action

The Shiva Effect is the creation of order out of chaos. First chaos strikes then order arises out of the ashes. Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary's Favela Rising dramatically illustrates this point.

The documentary focuses on the life of Anderson Sa. Sa was a member of the drug cartel that terrorized Vigario Geral until his brother was killed in a police reprisal for the deaths of four military police officers. Sa turned his life to helping those living in his favela (slum)on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro by creating the movement known as AfroReggae. The music turns around life in the ghetto and makes the band founders heros. The efforts of the band to get youth out of the drug culture is truly remarkable. Now children in the favela would rather join the AfroReggae movement than be drug outlaws. While the documentary can be a little self serving at times it does illustrate a good point: a person with courage to change his world can make a great difference to those around him. The ending of the film tends to deify its central figure a little to much for my tastes but this did not impede my enjoyment of the film.

The film shows how one person with a mission can make his world a better place. Sa often shows disregard for his own life in order to help others. The music is infectious and vibrant and the story strikes a chord. If there were more groups like Afro Reggae for the young to join maybe we would see a downturn in violence in more communities. The film should be shown in schools.

This film is hindered by its rather limited release but is well worth checking out. February 22, 2008

Excellent !

Inspirational story...this should be mandatory viewing for all schools, teachers and parents.....website also provides additional information and study aides for those who want to incorporate it into their lesson plan -
Parabens to the productuion team - what a wonderful project September 24, 2007

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