i actually find out about favela rise via the imdb website . i have a particular interest in afro brazilian culture and film . favela rising be one of those gem that give a new meaning to human transformation . beautifully document and film by jeff zimbalist and matt mochary it the story anderson sa and a former rio de janeiro drug trafficker who after the death of family member and friend become a christ like and malcolm x and and ghandi all roll into one . sa form afroreggae and a grassroots cultural movement that use afro brazilian hiphop and capoeira ( afro brazilian martial art ) drumming and and other artforms to transform the hopeless and most time angry youth into vibrant and viable and care community love individual . a few year ago i remember go to a screening of city of god ( cidade de deus ) and walk out of the theatre completely numb . the image be grim yet stun and you couldn not take your eye off the screen . i remember how hopeless some situation be in the favelas and how decadent the society be due to the government neglect . how drug trafficking be a way of life and how indifferent the citizen of the slum be because death be an every day occurrence . like city of god anderson sa talk about how the people of the favelas be also desensitize . he talk about the police corruption and and how the community be so immobilize by drug and gang that you couldn not visit family member in other favelas you have to meet in a neutral location . unlike city of god anderson sa grassroots movement afroreggae provide solution to the anger and the hopelessness . there be one part in the documentary where anderson and in the spirit of a preacher approach some youth and ask them to join afroreggae . these jade youth be so scar by everyday survival and violence . their role model be drug dealer and this be what they aspire to be . anderson tell then that drug dealer do not live very long . there be reluctance of course but five month later he be able to get some of the youth to join afroreggae . the visuals in favela rising be beyond amazing . it clear to me that jeff zimbalist and matt mochary be not only great story teller but visual artist a well . this be a must see documentary . there be some really magical and transforming moment in this documentary . i do not want to spoil them for you . i want you see it for yourself . please tell your friend and academic and youth counselor and family member about this wonderful film . it will make you care about the world and our child . i would give it eleven star .