Anderson Sa, Jose Junior, Marcio Nunes, Andre Luis Azevedo
This documentary follows one man's efforts to better his own life and the community he calls home. Anderson Sa grew up in the ghettos of Rio de Janeiro (known locally as "favelas"), where drug dealing... read more 
DVD Release Date: March 13, 2007
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Stats: 112 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (112)
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October 30, 2006won many festival awards. great documentary on poverty in Brazil and one man's mission to change it.
Critic Reviews
August 13, 2006
Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle
August 3, 2006
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
A remarkable story of transformation and challenge on several levels, some completely unexpected. Full Review
July 7, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A movie that is compelling and moving. It's also an artfully filmed and edited study of a real 'rhythm nation.' Full Review
May 31, 2006
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
All in all, the movement turned out to be a godsend for Rio natives, but the film is merely a pep rally. Full Review
May 31, 2006
Erik Pedersen, Hollywood Reporter
A daring and emotional documentary.
March 22, 2007
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. Full Review
August 8, 2006
Sean 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.
August 3, 2006
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
Elevated by fantastic performance footage of Sa and his young protégés singing, dancing and rhythmically banging on cans, plastic bottles or anything else that can be fashioned into a drum -- and a cu... Full Review
July 26, 2006
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
As a piece of documentary filmmaking, it's more a matter of excellent intentions than effective technique--a potentially powerful short doc stretched into a theatre length yawner. Full Review
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Favela Rising
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