Brazil

Brazil

Hill of Pleasures talks pacification in Rio

Morro dos Prazeres – Hill of Pleasures

By Ingrid Coifman

In Hill of Pleasures (Morro dos Prazeres), sixth long documentary by director Maria Ramos, looks at the process of pacification of one of Rio de Janeiro’s poorest slums from the perspective of six main characters: a local postman, a teenager with a history of involvement in drug dealing, a bookseller, and three police officers.

Ramos captures to the big screen the daily tensions between residents and the new police force while portraying the obstacles on the road to reconciliation. Co-presented by Brazil Film Fest, the documentary is a co-production between Brazil and Netherlands and the third part of a trilogy that includes Justice (2004) and Behave (2007).

This observational doc, shot in one of the world’s most stunning views, reveals a community living in the midst of time of change. Each of the six people followed by the director tries to find balance and co-exist with the ones before seen as enemies.

Director Maria Ramos

Maria Ramos studied musicology and electro-acoustic music in Paris and London. In 1990, she attended the Netherlands Film and Television Academy, specializing in documentary. Her debut, Brasilia – a Day in February, won the jury prize at the International Documentary Festival of Sao Paulo. Desi won the audience award in 2000 at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam and the Golden Calf for Best Documentary at the Netherlands Film Festival 2001.

The 20th edition of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, goes on until May 5, 2013 in Toronto. This year’s Festival will screen 205 docs from 43 countries.

Service: Screenings: TIFF Bell Lightbox (Cinema 2), Tuesday, April 30th, at 3:30 pm; Isabel Bader Theatre, May 4th, at 6:30 PM. Tickets: http://www.hotdocs.ca/film/title/hill_of_pleasures

Ingrid Coifman

Ingrid is a journalist who specializes in technology, economics, and tourism, having in her portfolio Culture TV, CBN Radio, McDonalds and Microsoft.

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