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Favela Rising

Play trailer Poster for Favela Rising 2005 1h 20m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In Rio de Janeiro, a former drug dealer and a community activist use Afro-reggae music to transform a slum.

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Favela Rising

Favela Rising

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Critics Consensus

Frustratingly flawed yet ultimately uplifting, Favela Rising offers an engrossing -- and sobering -- glimpse of a culture that's far more complex than many viewers might realize.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven Winn San Francisco Chronicle ... an uneven, spasmodic film. Rated: 2/4 Aug 13, 2006 Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times A remarkable story of transformation and challenge on several levels, some completely unexpected. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 3, 2006 Full Review Ted Fry Seattle Times Favela Rising can't seem to find its center. Rated: 2/4 Jul 14, 2006 Full Review Ryan Cracknell Movie Views Like City of God and Bus 174 before it, Favela Rising is about as raw as it comes. This is not an apologetic film, but rather one that looks for the bright side in a bleak situation. Mar 22, 2007 Full Review Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune [The directors] junk up the telling of Sa's story with overworked editing, unnecessary graphic clutter and a confounding habit of using dubbed-over music on the live concert footage. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 8, 2006 Full Review Ernest Hardy L.A. Weekly Elevated by fantastic performance footage of Sa and his young protgs singing, dancing and rhythmically banging on cans, plastic bottles or anything else that can be fashioned into a drum -- and a cultural revolution. Aug 3, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Josef D This is an incredible true story. I think the main character is one of my heroes. If you want it he'll be one of yours too. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Audience Member We're on a documentary run in my film classes and its interesting the liking of good documentaries. This was another one where it shows the hardships of Rio and the jumpiness of the movie didn't hurt it. Just showed two sides of the picture tthat was stratifying. Great Documentary. 8/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member A very compelling story, but the direction is gimmicky and distracting. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review adam k Worth seeing; important story. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Favela Rising, winner of 35 international film awards, tells the story of how one 'favela' or 'clan' within the hillside slum villages of Brazil, instead of playing the CIA-funded drug and guns game, just stopped playing by the corporate rules. They set their favela free from omnipotent drug lords and commiting crime for drug money and indulging in random death for no real cause by investing their time and energy in their own brand of Affro Reggae musical inspiration. They found their soul and shared it with the human beings in neighbouring favelas. And this proves that that's how easy it is to EVOLVE mankind to a higher state. Forget the lure of profit. Forget the corporate dogma. Forget the hatred of others. You The People are more than wage slaves and deserve a better life on this FREE PLANET, and only seven billion people working together can bring about this change and nullify the insidious corporate influence in our once-free lives. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member O brasil e seus filmes sobre favelas... tsc tsc tsc. Nao sei se clico em Want to see ou Not interest. por vida das duvidas, 2 estrelas. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Favela Rising

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Cast & Crew

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Matt Mochary

Director

Jeff Zimbalist

Director

Matt Mochary

Producer

Jeff Zimbalist

Producer

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Favela Rising

Favela Rising (2005) Favela Rising (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Rio de Janeiro, a former drug dealer and a community activist use Afro-reggae music to transform a slum.
Director
Matt Mochary, Jeff Zimbalist
Producer
Matt Mochary, Jeff Zimbalist
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 2, 2016
Runtime
1h 20m
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