I'm back from Rio and I started a 2-day trip the same day I returned, and am now preparing for a 4-day trip. My first chance to review all my footage and put more pictures up will be on June 20th.
However, I can share one amazing event. I got a chance to film President Dilma Rousseff my last day in Rio!!!! On June 14th I was at the Complexio Esporitivo Rocinha. The big sports complex that was a part of a government plan to improve one of the largest favelas in Rio, Rocinha. The following are the notes I took while sitting at the event.
At an event that was supposed to start at 9 am I sit with the Carioca (natives of Rio). At first I tried to get in with the press with my business card and camera out for all to see. I was told no because I had not sent in for press credentials in advance. However, because I was wearing a Communidade Rocinha t-shirt that my friend Zezinha gave me, I was able to get a pin which allowed me to get in (of course I put away my camera and threw my jacket over my bag.
I felt like a very special person. I was able to observe the various VIPs fight for a seat and cute young 20 year old gatekeepers, guys enjoying their 5 minutes of power. They all had a uniform of button down shirts, and black business shoes and some had ear pieces to top it off. It reminded me of my time as Director of the Development for the New York International Latino Film Festival. People fighting to prove how important they are to get a seat at an event that ultimately means very little to them. (More about that later).
I am truly privileged to be here at this time in Rio's history. I have to thank Zezinho because without the shirt I doubt I would have been able to get a Carioca pin.
I will treasure this pin and I will look into making some for myself that represent my documentary WHY BRAZIL. One thing I found interesting iss the Asian man that I saw with a green button on at the event which I believe indicated all-access. He was moving around everywhere, and I hope I don't sound ignorant, but I got the sense that he was responsible for the three screens that showed views of the stage for the audience in the "Carioca Seats".
I found myself in a mix of people with many agendas. Some people were following every word of every speech, and some people were interested in hugging and kissing the important people at the event. When President Rousseff came to the podium, I was allowed to go a little closer, and kneeling on my knees, I got footage which I still have to get translated since I'm such a poor student of portuguese. As I kneeled near the "important people" I noticed several on their smart phones, and reading newspapers and I wonder how important the event was for them.
The reason President Rousseff was at Rocinha was to announce/present the proposed cable cars and metro line that was planned to go through the favela. Thankfully the proposal also included a new sewer system. Something that is sorely needed in the favela. But the reason the Carioca were often on their feet during the presentation was that just like a transformer movie, the presentation showed buildings and construction going up where people were currently living. Based on their history, I am very doubtful that every person will be compensated and relocated fairly. This is not an assumption, but things that I've heard from people living in other parts of Rio where progress has displaced people and were themselves waiting to be relocated.
So much to think about, and so much to uncover. I remember a friend staying at Vidigalbergue hostel (he was from England and married, then divorced a Brazil women), who mentioned that clients that he gave sports therapy to often mentioned that they thought it would be best to bulldoze all favelas and put up new real estate. President Rousseff who gave an impassioned speech mentioning the benefits to the children and the older people seemed like a person that really cared. However she has to deal with the people with money who elected her, and these people, some of which were those people in suits and stilettos on their smart phones during her speech could probably care less about the Carioca.
WHY BRAZIL? Why do I hold out hope that some of the natives will benefit from the major changes coming to Brazil. Because of the impassioned people that I saw fight their way to speak with some of the journalist to get their feelings across. The mother that I saw who step by step moved to better and better seats with her little boy to give him an opportunity to see his leaders. Because I believe in the passion of the people of Brazil.
No comments:
Post a Comment