This English subtitled mini documentary is the latest contribution to our reporting project, “Rooting Anti-Racism in the Favelas: Deconstructing Social Narratives About Racism in Rio de Janeiro.” Follow our Rooting Anti-Racism in the Favelas series here.
Realizing an audiovisual production that has Black July as the story’s protagonist is, without a doubt, a necessary initiative from the point of view of the memory of the Black Movement and of favelas in Rio de Janeiro. Black people and favela residents have historically been survivors of racism and many other civil rights violations. This year, the event commemorated its sixth anniversary, realizing its sixth edition from July 26-30. Organized by movements from Rio de Janeiro favelas and by mothers of victims of police brutality, Black July is the fruit of collective mobilization in favor of the lives of the black favela population.
The mark of women’s strength is at the core of the organization of Black July, therefore making it an objective segment within this mini documentary. The women’s remarks throughout echo as a manifesto in this piece, especially since these activists are at the forefront of the violations that black people live through in favelas and peripheries every day.
Besides being organically black and feminist, Black July is an event of international articulation against militarization, racism, and apartheid around the world. In a single event, it brings together debates about various territories—Rio de Janeiro to Mexico, the USA, Palestine and India—confronting the same struggle: against State violence experienced by marginalized, impoverished, and criminalized groups. This video is one more way to contribute to movements that systemically denounce violence and State terrorism.
Onwards Black July!
This mini documentary was made remotely and collectively during the Covid-19 pandemic, without any in-person contact between the director and participants. All testimonies were voluntarily recorded by the participants themselves, in their homes and places of work with their own technological devices—cell phones, computers, and cameras.
Watch the Mini Documentary by David Amen Above or Here.
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How’s it going, everyone!
Check out the schedule for the 6th edition of Black July!
Our network’s objective is to strengthen the fight against militarization, racism and apartheid in Brazil and across the Global South.
Events will last five days in all, including seven activities, besides the launch of the mini documentary that recorded the history of Black July with testimonies of those who make up this movement of struggle and resistance.
Get your calendars ready ’cause we’ll be back in a few to release the schedule on our social media!
Be with you all soon!
About the director and screenwriter: David Amen was born and raised in Complexo do Alemão, is co-founder and communications producer at the Roots in Movement Institute, a journalist, graffiti artist, and illustrator.
This article is the latest contribution to our reporting project, “Rooting Anti-Racism in the Favelas: Deconstructing Social Narratives About Racism in Rio de Janeiro.” Follow our Rooting Anti-Racism in the Favelas series here.