Favela Rising

     I was really moved by Favela Rising. It was amazing to see someone who was able to, against all odds, change the world around him. Anderson saw all the violence around him and started a movement to give kids an alternative to the drug armies. He was able to show them that there is more than that one path. He brought the favela's something rarely seen until then; Joy. Anderson himself used to be a drug-trafficker before he became a social revolutionary.

     While the organization started out small, slowly it grew. I was excited when they got the record deal and were able to start spreading their ideas past the favelas. I, personally, was glad to see an alternative for the children. Growing up and having to deal with the constant fear from not only the drug armies, but also the corrupt police. These corrupt police were only sustaining the violence because the drug armies were paying them to do that. I found that to be very sad as no one, especially young children, should have to experience that kind of life.

     As I said earlier, Anderson brought optimism and joy to the favelas. He showed them that if you worked hard you could have a far better life than the lives of the drug armies. I remember in the video when he was trying to show a boy how being an outlaw is a bad idea. I felt like the boy wanted to believe what Anderson was saying, but he probably felt pressured from an older sibling and he kept looking at the camera. Even his friends were trying to dissuade him from that lifestyle. I really wanted to know what happened to that boy.

     Although we only watched part of the documentary, I felt like it showed the power of the performing arts. To be able to use music and dance as a way to keep children from getting into drug-trafficking is astounding. Even though he wasn't able to save everyone, he was still able to make a big change that went further than he could have ever imagined.