Inside the Mind of Favela Funk

Nothing Like Before – The Music of Clube da Esquina

March 2024 •Portuguese

Nothing Like Before delves into the creation of the Clube da Esquina Album (Brazil, 1972). Considered by many music critics one of the best albums of all time, it presented to the world musicians like Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, Toninho Horta, Beto Guedes and Wagner Tiso.

Tear the Roof Off: The Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic

February 2016 •English

The untold true story: The rise and fall of the greatest funk band ever, Parliament Funkadelic.

Beat Is Protest: Funk from a Female Perspective

December 2018 •Portuguese

Who are the chicks that make up the funk movement, and where are they? Funk has always been a form of protest, just as being a woman is. BEAT IS PROTEST: FUNK FROM A FEMALE PERSPECTIVE depicts the last decade underground scene of the funk women protesters in São Paulo. The testimonies come from transgender and cisgender women who navigate this universe in different roles, such as singers, DJs, beat-makers, producers, entrepreneurs, rappers, and dancers, and also from drag queens.

Where Are You, João Gilberto?

May 2018 •German

Where are you, João Gilberto? sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who obsessively searched for the legendary founding father of Bossa Nova and last great musical legend of our time, Brazilian musician João Gilberto, who has not been seen in public for decades. Fischer described his journey in a book, Hobalala, but committed suicide one week before it was published. By taking up Marc Fischer's quest, following his steps one by one, thanks to all the clues he left us, we pursue João Gilberto to understand the history, the very soul and essence of Bossa Nova. But who can tell whether we will meet him or not?

A História de Um Silva

January 2020 •Portuguese

Life and career story of MC Bob Rum, author and singer of "rap do Silva", one of the greatest funk classics during the 1990s.

Filhos de João, O Admirável Mundo Novo Baiano

July 2011 •Portuguese

A panorama of Brazilian popular music from the 60s and 70s through the musical group Novos Baianos. A retrospective of the community lifestyle adopted by its members and the influence inherited from singer João Gilberto.

São Paulo: Uma Cidade Segregada

November 2020 •Portuguese

Straight to the Point

November 2012 •Portuguese

Documentary about the singer Bezerra da Silva and the relation with his composers.

Mustache Funk

June 2021 •Ukrainian

The early 70s is a golden epoch of our popular music. Hundreds of songs of exquisite beauty. Groundbreaking sound. Futuristic suits. How and whence could all of this emerge in a Soviet socialist republic? How did a brand new music scene, original in sound and philosophy in every way, and at the same time absolutely in sync with global music trends come forth? They weren't that fond of the Soviet label «VIA». And since neither of us is fond of this acronym, let us rechristen this music.

James Brown: Soul Survivor

October 2003 •English

James Brown's legacy has influenced rap, soul, funk and R&B. But along with his huge talent, there's a dark side to Brown's success that includes stints in prison and unceasing tabloid speculation. This in-depth documentary takes a look at the meteoric highs and deep lows of Brown's career, offering some fascinating insights from the Godfather of Soul himself, as well as interview footage with Chuck D, Little Richard, Wyclef Jean and many others.

L'Homme de Rio - A vida loca

July 2022 •French

Comitiva Esperança

Invalid date •Portuguese

Maria: Ninguém Sabe Quem Sou Eu

September 2022 •Portuguese

The film is an unprecedented and exclusive testimonial of Maria Bethânia from director and screenwriter Carlos Jardim, interspersed with rare footage of rehearsals and concerts by the singer throughout her 57-year career. Actress Fernanda Montenegro narrates five texts by authors such as Ferreira Gullar and Caio Fernando Abreu about Bethânia's importance on the Brazilian cultural scene.

Feminino e Barulho

October 2023 •Portuguese

The cinema of Pernambuco is considered one of the most complex components of Brazilian cinema, particularly for its potency and creative style. The presence of women in filmmaking seldom holds the same historical notoriety as that of men, and the Pernambuco scene is no exception. In the context of "Amor, Plástico e Barulho" (Love, Plastic, and Noise), we find a film that serves as a testament to the marginalization of women in the creative industry, intertwining themes of consumption and the production of brega music. Hence, we use "Feminino e Barulho" (Feminine and Noise) as a means to share what we've learned. Renata Pinheiro has inspired us to craft a narrative that gives voice to those who need to be heard. We are here to showcase a glimpse of them and what they represent. "Feminino e Barulho" is a short film about love, femininity, sisterhood, and empowerment.

Prazer, Madureira

Invalid date •Portuguese

An livid and comic presentation of Madureira in Rio de Janeiro.

Gal Costa: Recanto – Ao Vivo

March 2013 •Portuguese

Uma Nova Paixão

Invalid date •Portuguese

Gal Fa-Tal

June 1971 •Portuguese

Shot in 1971 during Gal Costa's famous concert "Gal Fa-tal" in Rio de Janeiro's Sucata Nightclub, Ivan Cardoso's eponymous Super-8 short film shows the singer both in and off stage, interlapsed with scenes from Cardoso's "Nosferato no Brasil".

Complexo: Parallel Universe

January 2011 •Portuguese

No Rio de Janeiro, a 13 km do Cristo Redentor, dois portugueses aventuraram-se na mais temida favela do Brasil, onde moram mais de 300.000 pessoas - o Complexo do Alemão. Em 2007, no período de maior tensão e violência no Rio de Janeiro, viveram a maior operação policial já realizada no estado, sentiram na pele como é a vida de um simples morador. O filme retrata este perigoso e complexo mundo, um universo paralelo inserido dentro de uma ordem maior, um mundo à parte, que segue uma ordem diferente da ordem global.

The Good Fight

October 2017 •Portuguese

A boxer in Rio's favelas opens a club to help keep kids out of the burgeoning drug trade.