People and Power- Peace in the favelas
- 12 years ago
For decades Brazil's favelas - or shanty towns - have been a deadly battleground, where thousands died in the turf wars of rival gangsters and drug lords.
But two years ago - in anticipation of the football World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Brazilian government launched a new initiative.
Since then the Police Pacifying Units (UPP), have moved into 12 favelas, freeing 150,000 people from the control of the gangs and bringing a new calm to embattled neighbourhoods.
But as filmmakers Dom Rotheroe and Alfonso Daniels found out - while most residents in the UPP-controlled favelas welcome the fragile peace others fear it may not last.
But two years ago - in anticipation of the football World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Brazilian government launched a new initiative.
Since then the Police Pacifying Units (UPP), have moved into 12 favelas, freeing 150,000 people from the control of the gangs and bringing a new calm to embattled neighbourhoods.
But as filmmakers Dom Rotheroe and Alfonso Daniels found out - while most residents in the UPP-controlled favelas welcome the fragile peace others fear it may not last.