Beyond the postcard image of Copacabana’s beaches, samba rhythms, and the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro faces a complex and deeply rooted reality. In some communities, armed criminal networks and heavily equipped police units operate in tense proximity. At times, this tension escalates into dangerous confrontations, placing both officers and residents at risk.
In May 2021, a major police operation in Jacarezinho sparked national debate after it resulted in multiple casualties. Violence between rival groups and law enforcement continues to affect daily life in several neighbourhoods, with stray bullets and insecurity posing real dangers to civilians.
We gained rare access to Rio’s elite police unit, BOPE, to document their high-stakes operations. Their approach—swift and forceful—aims to dismantle organized crime, but not without controversy.
Meanwhile, concerns about personal safety have led some residents to take protective measures. Gun ownership has increased since legal restrictions were eased under President Jair Bolsonaro, and debates about public security and personal freedom continue to divide opinion.
This film offers an unfiltered look into the human impact of these tensions—on the communities navigating daily life in high-risk zones, on the police working in extreme conditions, and on a city caught between image and reality.
Original title: Dangerous cities: Rio
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Video “Rio's lawless favelas: Elite Cops fighting Gangs” was uploaded on 06/13/2025 to Youtube Channel Best Documentary