DVD : 5/5 Rating : Favela Rising

LINKS :
Rotten Tomatoes
IMDB
Wikipedia
Trailer (Official Website)
Official Website (Think Film / HBO)
Blue Dot

IHMO REVIEW :
just watched this movie last night - don't let the trailer fool you, it's not about a documentary on a band or music genre that came out of Rio de Janerio. it's a story about a cultural movement that sprang from 'Favela' (Brazilian slum).

the reason i'm giving this a 5 star is because i think everyone should see this movie - but beforwarned - it has graphic images and knowing that all the footage is real - gives you pause.

the beginning of the documentary sets up what kind of place a favela is - a slum with druglords and 'outlaws' - and how the police are nothing more then another gang. a journalist state - "if the druglords are making all this money - why is there no millionaire druglords? it's because the police takes the money, sells them the guns and drugs."

4 cops are killed - in retaliation the cops kill 21 people in the favela - the movie states that these 21 people were random people who had nothing to do with the druglords / outlaws. one of the 21 people killed is the brother of 'Anderson.' - the main focus of this movie.

the reason i think everyone should watch this is because the movie had me at the edge of my seat - knowing that everythign is real and not knowing if these people would die. i was angry with what i was seeing - and yet these people living it daily sought a nonviolent outlet.

BE SURE TO WATCH THE EXTRAS - ESPECIALLY THE MAKINGS OF.