Volunteering:2 Bros

Are you interested in volunteering check out 2 Bros You can live and work in a favela and get to know the culture.

Call of Duty:Favela

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 blasted past $300 million in sales on its opening day, the videogame’s publisher said, blowing away even Hollywood films to become the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever. Check out the favela level.

Favela Fight

Check out favelafight a friend of Soufavelado. You can stay in Chapeu Marengeira, a small favela 2 blocks from the beach, and study a fighting style. Cool life!

Looking for an amazing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai training experience? Want to train with the world’s top fighters? Come live, fight, and train in the favela in world famous Rio de Janeiro. Shape up your ground game, work on your striking and submission skills while immersing yourself in Brazilian culture.

Train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing, with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and champion, Marcelo Penca. Live and train in a working class “favela”, where the world’s top fighters are born and made.

favelafight.com

Madonna visits favela, and loves Rio

Singer Madonna arrived at the favela Santa Marta, in Botafogo, the South Zone of the city, where she goes to visit a social project. Madonna showed affection and was magic with the sight. The singer, who was followed by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral Son, waved for the public and posed for photos. The first activity of the singer was to attend the presentation of a dance group in one squares esportiva in the top of the favela. Seated on the ground, to the side of the governor Sergio Cabral, she was very excited. She applauded and she arrived to give gritinhos of incentive for the children. Madonna, however, was not to attend the presentation of ” Social action for the Music of the Brasil” , she preferred to go soon for the intended plan to go to the highest part of the favela, where there is the Unit of Polícia Pacificadora (UPP) and is possible to have a beautiful sight of the city. Before, to enter in the inclined plan, bondinho that it makes the passage in the mount, she declared to be very happy for knowing the city. “It is very good being here. I love Rio”, I said smiling. In the way for bondinho, the singer still made an affability to a boy of the community, Ezequiel Silva, of six years, whose cheek was squeezed by the singer. But the boy said that he did not like to be fondled, and he was questioned if he would like to go to live with pop to star, he responded: ” To live with her? Not, with her! ” Madonna left the place for return at 7:30. Before, she was presented by the ceremonial of the first-lady of Rio, Adriana Ancelmo, with a bouquet of white irises. The singer also gained a DVD of the NGO ” Social action for the Música” , that it is co-ordinated by Fiorela Necklaces.

Gringolado POV: Samuel Tesfay

Sammy was staying in the favela Tavares Bastos. Here is his POV of the favela:

Well my experience in the favela has been overall great! But I have to admit that I had my preconceptions about it from all the movies and the reputation that Rio has of being one of the most dangerous places in the world. So I was watching my back constantly the first couple of days. But after a while you realize that the favela is just like any other place in the world. Just people doing their thing, but doing it much better! I really like the fact that you see people of different colors living together like that, music playing constantly, the doors to the houses are always open during the day, it’s a good vibe! The people are very laid back and always seem to be having fun. And I believe that if you really want to get to know the real Rio, then you should definitely stay in a favela because of the constant vibe that is going on there. And most of all you feel welcomed there, it’s like if you live there you are a part of the family from day one! But you should of course do some quick research on what favela you should stay in. Every favela is different and has its one way of living. And some of them maybe aren’t as safe and easy going as the next one. So be sure to ask around and do some resource before you decide to live in one.

New positive favela movie in the works

Here is an article from transparent.com about 5 Times Favela film project. When I visited Nos do Morro in Vidigal they also let me know they are taking part in this project.

Carlos Diegues, one of Brazil’s most acclaimed film directors, is working on a new project that he hopes will challenge stereotypes of Rio’s favelas and become a box office hit: a remake of his 1962 movie “Cinco Vezes Favela,” or “Five Times Favela.”

Originally produced by upper class film students, the remake is being made by five aspiring directors from Rio’s slums. Each director must produce a 20 minute segment that will become part of the complete feature film. With a US$2 million budget and coaching from some of Brazil’s best directors, like Fernando Meirelles and Walter Salles, the film has high expectations. Diegues hopes the budding directors will achieve fame and success, while being able to accurately portray where they come from.

The creators of the movie hope to portray the slums in a different light, after the success of violent films like “Cidade de Deus” and “Tropa de Elite.” The stories in the film are comedies and upbeat tales to focus on hope and the positive aspects of slum life. The film will be distributed by Sony/Columbia Pictures.

Sidney’s Story

Behind the popular images of Brazil, the tropical beaches, soccer and carnival lies another reality, that of desperate poverty. Kids are subject to police brutality, rape, violence, and being forced into prostitution just for food or to stay alive. Brazil’s GDP ranks it as the eighth richest country. Less than one percent of the population owns more than fifty percent while more than fifty percent of the population owns less than one per-cent of the land. Brazil has the greatest disparity between the rich and poor of all countries.

I grew up in the slums with 5 siblings and my parents but my father was an alcoholic and he used to beat us up almost to death. My oldest brother left home when he was 7 years old and my second oldest left home when he was 5 years old because they were both tired of the slums, poverty and the beatings of my father. I left home when I was 11 and I also never came back home and I lived on the streets of Brazil for year but God through YWAM rescued me and God restored my life.

The slums in Brazil is a very sad place to live specially when you are involved in drugs or selling them. I lost many friends because of the drug trafficking and poverty but I am so glad God brought people like Anwar all the way from the U.S.A to work and serve in the slums of Brazil and that’s the reason why I preach the Gospel today. I have been over 20 nations preaching the Gospel and I am so thankful for what Anwar is doing in the biggest and most dangerous slums in Rio de Janeiro.

If you want to read more about my story you can buy my book and also watch a documentary about my life at www.rescuedtotell.com and it is in English and we will ship it anywhere you are in the world.
Or you can contact Sidney through email sidneypereira915@gmail.com

 

Gringolado POV: Anwar Boyce

City of God, with all of it’s violence and profanity, and crude imagery was all I needed to inspire me to visit the favelas. After seeing that “wonderful” movie I made it my priority to go to Brazil and work in the favelas.  In 2006, I made my first step in a favela called Parada de Lucas. My initial thought was fear. I saw the movies, and hear horrible stories, but I knew I had to go to a favela and see it for myself. I stayed in Parada de Lucas for a month working with an english class, and helping out with day care.   It was definitely a culture shock. At the entrance there were guys carrying Ak’s and I remember seeing a few kids walking around with hand guns. Also I had to get adjusted to the fireworks going off all the time. I’m still not sure of exactly what it signified. Either drugs entering the favela or police entering, I heard different explanations regarding that. My whole time in Parada de Lucas I never really was fearful, except for the police which thought I was a drug dealer and tried to steal my camera. But, I actually fell in love with the favela. There was always music being played (baile funk music, which sucks!) kids everywhere, and they were playing football (soccer), flying kites, and anything else to enjoy themselves. There were carnivals, they had grocery stores, video rental stores, everything it was like a little city. I really loved everybody’s friendliness and the strong sense of community. Parada de Lucas sealed my love for the favela.

Since PLucas, I have visited other favelas and realized that each favela is different and distinct. I stayed in Chapeu Mangeiras which was 2 blocks from the Copacobana beach. Chapeu is occupied by police so there are no drug dealers, well there are but not with guns. It’s a very safe favela, and even before the police occupation there was really no big problems. Plus Camila Pitanga (a hotttt brazilian actress) lived there at one time.
Chapeu had great views of the beach and amazing trails overlooking all of Rio. Also I would feed the little monkeys every morning, can’t beat that.

I also visited the larger favelas like Vidigal, and Rocinha (the largest favela in all Latin America). All though each favela was different they all had a strong culture filled with music and community involvement. I met many other foreigners living or visiting the favelas as well and they all had a similar love and passion for the favela. It was amazing to see this common love because most of the Brazilians I met never have stepped foot inside of a favela and always discourage me from going, while there are all these “gringos” living and loving the favela.

I can’t help it but I’m a favelado!!!

Favelado Movies

The focus on favelas in Brazilian film has increased mostly because of the success of City of God, but here is a list of movies dealing with favelas.  Most of the stereo-types and negative imagery comes from these films.  The violence aspect of favelas has seem to become a commodity for braziian cinema. I love these films, but I think it doesn’t truly portray life in the favela, it takes a negative aspect and blows it out of proportion.

City of God is ranked #16 best movie of all time on imdb.com. City of God is a very violent, but well done film. City of God has given rise to much interest into favelas, and is a must see.   Although the film is based on a true story, just like every film, there is exageration and favelas are not like this. But, again, I must admit this is my favorite film of all time, yeah I’m biased, so..?

City of Men is not a sequel to City of God but a feature version of City of Men the television series which the pilot of this series inspired the making of City of God.

The Elite Squad arrived to Brazilian cinemas with much anticipation. This was the a response to City of God which told the story of the favelados. The Elite Squad told the story of BOPE, Brazil’s special police force. This movie is not as good as City of God but definitely worth a watch, but what movie can be as good as COG?

Once Upon a Time in Rio, is like a Brazilian Romeo and Juliet. I really liked this movie because it shows the reality of the conflict between the asphaltos and the favelados. It was also cool to have a love story, not just about violence, even though it was violent as well, of course it’s about the favela, right? Yeah… waiting for a favela movie without violence. City of Men the tv series is a good because not all of the episodes are about violence, but it shows the humanity and the community spirit in the favela.

Bus 174 is a documentary about a favelado who held up a bus in Rio. The documentary is good, and there is also a feature film about the story as well.

Last Stop 174 is the feature version of Bus 174. You’ll notice it’s different from the documentary, but it’s a good story, and a good film.

Favela Rising

Radio Favela

Besouro, Ok this film is not directly about the favelas, but looks really cool! The main character is a capoerista which is a dance/fighting style that originated with the black slaves from northeast Brazil. Blacks were one of the main groups that migrated to the big cities like Rio and Sao Paulo and began to form the favelas, so it does relate. Also in the favelas there are often capoeira classes for the community.

Black Orpheus is a Brazilian classic and it shows life in the favela at a different time and kind of romanticizes life there, which I feel is a good representation of the favela because there is always music and dancing, just the music and dance is a tad-bit different now, lol.

What is a Favela?

A favela is the Brazilian equivalent of a shanty town, or squatter settlement, which are generally found on the edge of the city. They have electricity, but often not formally. Favelas are constructed from a variety of materials, ranging from bricks to wood and anything else the people can use. Many favelas are very close and very cramped. Most lack adequate sewage and electricity. Although many of the most famous favelas are located in Rio de Janeiro, there are favelas in almost every large Brazilian town.

In Rio one in every four “Cariocas” (as the inhabitants are called) lives in a Favela. The city of Rio de Janeiro itself does not legally recognize the existence of favelas. The name originates from a species of plant with thorny leaves that grows in the semi-arid North-East region.

Refugees and former soldiers involved in the Canudos Civil War (1895-1896) in Bahia would eventually settle on unreclaimed public land on a hill in Rio de Janeiro called Morro da Providência, because the government failed to provide any housing for them. The former soldiers named their new settlement Morro da Favela after the plant which had thrived at the site of a famous victory against the rebels.

Over the years, most of the poor population, comprised mainly of freed black slaves moved in, replacing the refugees as the major ethnic group there. However, long before the first settlement called “favela” came into being, poor blacks were pushed away from downtown into the far suburbs. Favelas were handy for them because they allowed them to be close to work, while keeping away from where they were not welcome.

A favela is fundamentally different from a slum or tenement, primarily in terms of its origin and location. While slum quarters in other Latin American countries generally form when poorer residents from the countryside come to larger cities in search of work, favelas are unique in that they were created as large populations became displaced. Favelas differ from ghettos such as those in the United States in that they are racially mixed even though blacks make up the majority of the population. Although they were first mostly made up of most Afro-Brazilians they slowly began to consist of many European immigrants arriving in the 19th century. Another important distinction is that, in a typical favela, there is an anomalous form of social life that diverges from mainstream culture. Such a state of things was recognized as early as 1940.

Shanty towns are units of irregular self-constructed housing that are unlicensed and occupied illegally. They are usually on lands belonging to third parties, and are most often located on the urban periphery. Shanty town residences are built randomly, although networks of stairways, sidewalks, and simple tracks allow passage through them. Most favelas are inaccessible by vehicle.

These areas of irregular and poor-quality housing are often crowded onto hillsides, and as a result, these areas suffer from frequent landslides during heavy rain. In recent decades, favelas have been troubled by drug-related crime and gang warfare. There are rumors that common social codes in favelas forbid residents from engaging in criminal activity inside their own favela.