Experiencing Interruptions?

One Man, One City, Three Evictions: the human cost of Rio's Growth

More than a quarter of Rio's 6 million-strong population live in 1,000 informal settlements known as favelas. Many live under a constant threat of eviction and removal, but 61 year old Altair Guimarães may be unusual: he has been evicted three times in his live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One Man, One City, Three Evictions tells his story.

Guimarães' life illustrates how re-development, property speculation and gentrification of Brazil's second biggest city has pushed many of its poorest residents to the edges, a pattern seen globally.

His idyllic childhood in a favela on the edge of Freitas Lagoon came to an end when he was 14, when he was moved to the notorious and violent 'City Of God'. Evicted again, as an adult he found home in the peaceful community of Vila Autodromo, but the Rio Olympics provided the final impetus for this community to be evicted.

This eviction was the final bitter chapter in a life-long quest to put down roots in the city of his birth.

Life has turned Guimarães into a fighter: today he is supporting the community of Horto, who themselves are under threat of eviction and have taken their case to the Supreme Court.

  • Nicola Milne
    Director
  • Joanna Griffin
    Writer
  • Nicola Milne
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 24, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 1
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Journeyman Films
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Nicola Milne

Nicky Milne is a passionate film maker, photographer and executive producer, overseeing multi-media output for Thomson Reuters Foundation. With a vital background in documentary film making, she directs/produces key human rights documentaries, shot globally.

Nicky spent many years in factual television, presenting, directing/producing and executive producing a range of high -end programming. She left a position as an Executive in Factual Commissioning at the BBC to undertake a Masters in Photojournalism, passing with distinction. She joined a global NGO and became Head of Film and Photography, overseeing multimedia for advocacy, fundraising and education, before joining Thomson Reuters Foundation. She is passionate about factual story telling and ensuring outstanding visuals as well as journalistic rigour.

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