Favela Rising
The Eco Film on Friday, March 26th: Favela Rising
Winner of 25 International Film Awards
Genre: Documentary. Directors: Matt Mochary & Jeff Zimbalist. Brazil, 2006. 82 minutes.
This powerful and uplifting documentary shows that grassroots efforts in poverty-stricken neighbourhoods can dramatically reverse social decay, violence, and crime. This is the story of how one young Brazilian – Anderson Sa, a former drug trafficker, began a community rebuilding project by using a new form of music, Afro Reggae, as an alternative to drug dealing and street crime. A blend of hip-hop, drumming, and acrobatics, the music became a source of pride and self-respect for those who performed it, and by their example they became a model of community responsibility and achievement. The film has been received far and wide as an inspirational message on how to carry out a “war on poverty” anywhere in the world, and that education sets the path away from drugs and gang violence for young people.