By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Jeff Zimbalist | Matt Mochary
Country: brazil, united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 80
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455949/
Bruce says: “This enjoyable film follows a group of young men who eschew the gangster life of the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro by turning to music instead of crime. FAVELA RISING is a good companion piece to BUS 174, an excellent documentary film about the sociology of Rio, centered on an incident where a man from one of the favelas (there
are 600 in all) hijacks a city bus and holds the passengers hostage. FAVELA RISING is also thematically related to CITY OF GOD (already a cult classic) and MADAME SATA, two Brazilian narrative films which depict lives of crime in the favelas.
“The character central to this documentary is Anderson Sá, one of the founders of the Cultural Group, AfroReggae. In his early teens Sá chose to be in one of the local gangs in the Vigário Geral favela, and his path to self-destruction appeared permanently paved. Teen drug dealers earn about $650 per month as opposed to local workers who earn about $13 per month, so toting guns and dealing drugs is not a difficult choice.
“Sá’s life-changing moment comes when a local musician begins teaching him how to drum. Soon there is a whole group of drummers. AfroReggae is born but evolves slowly. They begin putting on shows and building a following in Vigário Geral. New musical instruments, break dancing, modern dance, elaborate costumes, lighting design and set design are integrated into their performance pieces. AfroReggae begins performing in other favelas. A record contract follows.
“Sá is a spokesman for the group’s community advocacy programs as well as the band’s lead singer. Already idolized by most of
Vigário Geral, Sá campaigns tirelessly to send his message of hope to the next generation. His wife fears for his safety – any man
who battles drug lords is taking big risks. Fate plays nasty tricks and the biggest risk in Sá’s life turns out to be his hobby, not his work. The adulation of Sá soars when he becomes disabled after hitting his head on a rock while surfing. Shortly after the accident it appears Sá will be a quadriplegic. Then a miracle occurs. Sá emerges from delicate surgery and actually walks out of hospital within four days.
“Jose Junior, executive coordinator of AfroReggae, appears on screen but takes a secondary role in the film. Whether that is his choice or the filmmakers’ decision is not clear. Several other band members toss in comments here and there but FAVELA RISING is all Sá’s show, for he’s the one with charisma. Therein lies the main weakness of the film; it is too one-sided.
“AfroReggae has spread to nine other favelas although Sá is firm about not forcing his issues on others to franchise his ideas. He feels each favela must develop its own process in finding alternatives to joining gangs. FAVELA RISING does carry an important message: grassroots efforts can be very effective and successful, even when pitted against armed gangs who rove the streets, dealing drugs and killing whoever gets in the way. 3.5 cats”