PROJECTS

Rhythmic Uprising

The Rhythmic Uprising Project seeks to explore a movement of artists who are using the power of local traditions to elevate the quality of life for at-risk children in the culturally rich region of Bahia, Brazil.

Project Background

The Afro-Brazilian region of Bahia has been popularly recognized for its lively cultural traditions such as capoeira and samba. It has given birth to numerous pop musicians including Caetano Veloso, Carlinhos Brown, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil and more. For over three decades now, creative social entrepreneurs and activists like these have been instrumental in a movement of economical and social development that has used popular arts to improve the lives of impoverished children in the area.

The Mission

Leveraging the strengths of community-building partners Creative Visions Foundation, Rhythm of Hope in Brazil, and Video Volunteers, this media production initiative aims to capture the excitement generated by the movement in Bahia and accelerate it's promotion. The project aims to do this in two ways:

(1) To produce a documentary feature that will tell the world the inspiring tale of how a powerful grassroots movement based in popular arts (capoeira, music, dance, circus) is overcoming social and economic depression.

(2) To utilize the tools developed by Video Volunteers to match volunteer filmmakers with the Bahian organizations featured in the documentary. Video Volunteers will train staff in low-cost digital video production, enabling them to produce films for advocacy, fundraising, training and community awareness efforts.