Brutal and unforgiving

Rating: Null/10 (15 February 2006)

I just saw this new documentary called "Favela Rising" that seemed to be inspired by Fernando Meirelles' powerful and trenchant "City of God". What impressed me about "City of God" was both its urgent social realism and its vibrant, propulsive energy. While the film's stark yet colorful images arrest you, Meirelles' handling of the issues besetting Brazil's slums -- from poverty, lack of access to education and social services, that escalate to violence and the drug trade -- is complex and responsible, but without being preachy. The main character Rocket's camera (apparently representing Meirelles' own lens) seemed to be an impartial witness to the proceedings and thus the violence becomes even more brutal and devastating because it seemed endemic and thoughtless, coming from the film's characters. The name "Ciudade de Dios", the favela where the interweaving narratives in this film are set, could be no further from the truth of the realities in that community.
"Favela Rising", the new documentary I saw, appears to attest to the continuing resonance of "City of God". The docu, on the other hand, deals with a Brazilian ex-drug dealer who starts a musical movement called Afro-Reggae to keep young people in his favela away from violence. While City of God ended tragically, Favela Rising ended on a more optimistic note. Nonetheless, both are compelling to watch and experience.