Favela

The Favlea’s of Brazil are held with notoriety, perhaps nowhere else more so than in Rio de Janeiro. Thanks to movies and news bulletins nationally and globally, Rio’s favelas are synomynous with violence. More than three million people live in Rio’s estimated two hundred and fourty seven favelas. The favelas are home to a vibrant mixture of people, with each favela differing in just the same way as we experience cities and towns do, from one to another. Violence is not the primary characteristic of these communities, rather hard work, passion and dignity wrapped up in culture and community.

This short series is a snapshot into a long term body of work that does not ignore some of the harsh realities that can be found, but also aims to present the favela communities in a new light, to meet individuals, explore their trials, their labour, their creativity and the environment within which they call home. This project seeks to contribute to despelling the myth that all these communities are no-go areas rampant with crime.