FILM SCREENINGS

Peace in Rio

2010. Brazil. Directed by Wagner Novais, Rodrigo Felha, Luciano Vidigal, Cadu Barcellos. The establishment of the Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora (which translates roughly as “Police Unit with a Mandate to Pacify,” or UPP for short) was the first step toward consolidating a new security policy in the federal state of Rio de Janeiro. The stated aim was to occupy territories in the favelas controlled by the drug mafia and thus to liberate the inhabitants, and the controversial measure's immediate success triggered debate throughout the country. Directed by four of the young filmmakers behind the omnibus film 5 x Favela (2010), this documentary captures many contrasting viewpoints via interviews with favela dwellers, drug dealers, police, and others both inside and outside the community, providing a nuanced examination of whether the UPP has yielded results for the people it is meant to protect. Portuguese with English subtitles. 96 min.