Radio Favela

"Uma Onda no Ar" is a good movie that unfortunately happened to be released around the same time "Cidade de Deus" (City of God) was released.

Although similarly themed, this Helvecio Ratton flick differs a lot from the Fernando Meirelles epic. From its raw story-telling style to its approach to the characters, "Uma Onda No Ar" focuses on the story being told: the will of four friends, each one with its own personal story, trying to build their own radio station. In this movie, the favela (slum) serves as a backdrop for the story, whilst in "City of God" the favela is 'the main character' and the actors are 'the backdrops'.

Based on the true story of the "Favela Radio" station, "Uma Onda no Ar" is a must-see, especially for those who live in or have been to the city of Belo Horizonte, since it was totally shot there and has inumerous references to its people and its culture

It seems it's war in the big favela (shantytown). The police start to go up the hill while a pirate radio station tells the population how to react. It's the radio that the police are looking for.

This is the start of a brazilian tale...

The Radio Favela appeared in years 80, in a favela of Belo Horizonte. With a courageous programming and a spontaneous language, it conquered a great number of listeners and reach beyond the imagination. UMA ONDA NO AR (A WAVE IN THE AIR) is fiction with a lot of reality. In the film, true facts are mixed with imaginary and the caracters are full of freedom.

This movie, together with CIDADE DE DEUS (CITY OF GOD) brings the problem in the brazilian favelas. But they share only the theme, CIDADE DE DEUS is a lot more powerfull with much blood and violence.

UMA ONDA NO AR brings a warm feeling of hope!!! The radio symbolize the freedom of speech. And the greatness of the humanity...

Lately considering the fact that Brazilian cinema has been too much associated with violent films,it is nice to learn that this film is a nice surprise.Even though it is based on the lives of some Favela youths,it is not at all violent.It is a true indication of the fact that people can change their lives for good if they adopt pacifist means.The role of police in troubling ordinary citizens is nicely depicted.It is hard to believe that the police forces meant to protect people are playing a game of cat and mice.Although,Uma onda no ar boasts of a serious message,it would be a understatement to say that it is not a light comic film.There are some very good radio moments which keep the viewers entertained.Something in the air is a nice film to be watched in order to have a grasp of Brazilian favela's disturbing realities.

Cute film. Light but with sad moments and important social political issues. It is about disrespected life in slum (favela), social inequalities, the black question, the need to democratize communications. The text is excellent. Helvécio Ratton is a very good director with little attention on him. The four friends have different paths and fates, as many poor boys. Prepare yourself to support pirate community radio for the slum! P. S.: listening accent from Minas Gerais is so cool.