The documentary traces the influences that contributed to shape the music that consecrated Carnival as one of the most powerful cultural manifestations in Brazil. The film begins behind the scenes of Rio de Janeiro's samba schools, where viewers witness the hard work and dedication of choreographers, dancers, musicians, and costume makers coming together in the spirit of teamwork and collaboration to create a spectacle that celebrates the infectious rhythms of samba.
The camera also explores nearby favelas, revealing additional connections between the African diaspora and Brazilian musical traditions. Through interviews and observational footage, the documentary examines how roots and perspectives, flesh and ghosts, entities and divinities spread across the slums and over the sidewalks of Salvador, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro are essential to the make-up of the Brazilian musical exponent par excellence. [1]
The documentary was shown at the Rio International Film Festival, and has received recognition from African American Studies departments in campuses across the United States for its examination of African cultural influences in Brazilian music and carnival traditions.[3] The film holds a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDb.[4]
Rather than focusing on the commercialized or sexualized media portrayals of Carnival, the film presents a more scholarly discourse on how samba affects Brazilian people both past and present, exploring the cultural and historical significance of these traditions.
Distribution
The documentary has been made available through various platforms including:
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