Favela Rising

Matt Mochary and Jeff Zimbalist's documentary traces the history of Grupo Afro-Reggae, a community-based action group that arose in Vigario Geral, one of the notorious favelas — slums — that ring Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's crowded, crime-ridden shantytowns lack the most basic social and municipal services, and are notorious breeding grounds for violence and despair run by brutally viciously competitive drug gangs. In August 1993, a drug gang ambushed a police car carrying four officers, including one who was notorious for shaking down Vigario Geral residents, and killed them all; in retaliation, a special military police unit made a raid that killed 21...