THE SAMBA WITHIN ME (Georgia Guerra-Peixe, Brazil/Portugal). 72 minutes. Rating: NNN
We’ve all heard the samba beats so characteristic of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival. Now we get a backstage pass to one of Rio’s beat factories.
Georgia Guerra-Peixe’s doc is a visually arresting tribute to the Mangueira Hill neighbourhood, where, despite the dilapidated conditions, poverty and crime, a rich culture and vibrant personalities thrive. The film might frustrate those looking for a dramatic story or character. Guerra-Peixe forgoes any semblance of a narrative, allowing her camera to simply dance to the rhythms of daily life in Mangueira.
The film tours through back alleys and into the homes where the music is born. It’s a far cry from the spectacle of Carnival.
