British documentary about dancers screened in Rio festival
Entertainment
British documentary about dancers screened in Rio festival
The British documentary Only When I Dance is screened as part of Rio de Janeiro's international film festival in the violent Complexo do Alemao slum, where it was partly shot. A British documentary about two young black ballet dancers from a Rio de Janeiro favela was screened in the heart of one of the city's largest and most violent slums. Dozens gathered in Rio's Complexo do Alemao slum to watch Only When I Dance, which tells the story of 18-year-old Irlan Silva and 17-year-old Isabela Coracy who struggle to make it as ballet dancers on the world stage. The film, directed by Beadie Finzi, premiered the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City and was praised by several movie critics. The documentary follows the two teenagers in their long-hour trainings and trials for prestigious dance companies around the world. Silva, the film's main character, said the documentary showed another side of the favela. It is a great joy that I'm feeling today to share this moment and see everyone watching my film, my entire family, the people who live here in the community (favela), and to show that here, in the Complexo do Alemao, we don't have violence only, but also a lot talent, a lot of culture for the entire world, he said after the screening. His mother, Maria da Penha Silva, did not hold back her emotions as she watched her son twirl on the big screen. Silva said she was proud to see her son rise above the difficulties of being poor and black. At the Brazilian premiere, the filmmakers launched a charity fund to support the social work of a famous dance school.
