Arquivo

The director Fernando Trueba himself defines this film as “a social musical, a peaceful western whereby the good guys carry drums and not guns to protect themselves”. The Spanish filmmaker, who is married to a Brazilian and loves Brazilian music, gives an in-depth account of the social project developed at the Candeal slum, in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. The project is coordinated by the Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown, who was born in that area. Trueba also uses another musician, the Cuban pianist Bebo Valdez – one of the protagonists of his musical documentary Calle 54 - to explore Bahia’s religion, culture and music. The film shows how the local kids have contributed to keep violence and social exclusion away from Candeal.