Funk Rio

On the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro a new culture is flourishing; the funk movement. Rio Funk is a mass experience that provides the major vehicle for cultural expression for the city＇s poor and marginalised youth. Each weekend over 300 clubs open their doors to between five hundred and five thousand people each of whom dance, sing, party and fight. The funk universe is seen through the eyes of the suburban youths and shows the codes, ties to crime and music and dance of this ＇tribe＇ that is creating its own music and identity. We are shown the biographies of an office boy, a DJ, a street cleaner and a housemaid, and begin to understand the motivation behind becoming a ＇funkateer＇. Some observers believe that in terms of numbers, localisation and experience with police repression, that the funk movement is a rival to Rio＇s world renowned carnival.