FAVELA ON BLAST
by Wesley Pentz und Leandro HBL Brasilia 2008 Digital Betacam 80 min. OV Engl. ST
Over 20 years, a subculture in Brazil has emerged below society’s radar. Fast, heavy, and hypersexual, baile funk reflects the area it comes from. One of the most interesting musical movements in the world, it comes from one of the poorest and most violent places – the slums of Rio de Janeiro. FAVELA ON BLAST shows the culture surrounding baile funk, a rhythm that mixes the Miami bass electronic funk of the 1980s with the most diverse influences of Brazilian music.
With their own language, style and heroes, these artists translate their day-to-day culture into this new nightlife music. Its bombastic rhythms mix with loops and samples to pulse through the tropical nights of Rio.
Leandro HBL and Wesley Pentz visited 60 favelas and conducted more than 100 interviews with the MCs, DJs and dancers who have dedicated their lives to this vibrant scene.
