The Samba Within Me

Geórgia Guerra-Peixe takes us on a journey through her native Mangueira, a slum district in Rio de Janeiro hosting one of Brazil's top samba schools. Among the characters we meet is Mestre, the leader the school, whose imitation of a full Samba band puts Hip-Hop beatboxers to shame. There is also "Granny", whose grandmother was a slave and who earned her nickname by having 168 great-grandchildren. At first the stories seem mundane, but the relaxed highlights make them funny and touching and provide a glimpse into a Brazil beyond favela drug wars and carnivals.