Rio starts to displace its people…

Rio de Janeiro is preparing to welcome two planetary events. The World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. For this the “Marvellous City” is on the eve of profound changes to host in a fitting way the entire planet, the sports delegations and officials of these mega events, the supporters, tourists, businessmen and the world leaders. Sports infrastructures and hotels, roads, public transport, the task is colossal. The authorities must in particular solve a major problem: the poverty in which live a large part of its inhabitants, squeezed into more than a thousand favelas in the city.

The majority of these shanty towns, which can house as many as 300,000 people, are in the city centre, or in inner suburban areas, many are situated at the strategic points of the forthcoming festivities and are obstacles for the numerous development projects.

It is a complex problem, comprised of several programs which have already begun despite widespread opposition, in particular the replacement of thousands of families towards the city’s more distant suburbs. As the major building works have started so have the expulsions. Regularly they are conducted violently, after months of pressures, menaces and physical violence by the police upon these populations.

The more fortunate families receive a little compensation, those that don’t are rehoused in “Living quarters”, barricaded and guarded, ostensibly to protect those inside from external violence. Thousands of displaced people are uprooted, and bundled together in areas where no laws apply other than those of militia.

The report is in production

To be broadcast in September on Arte Reportage