While on assignment to document poverty in Brazil for Life magazine, African American photographer Gordon Parks encountered one of the most important subjects of his career: Flávio da Silva. Parks featured the resourceful, ailing boy, who lived with his family in one of Rio’s working-class neighborhoods known as favelas, in his 1961 photo essay “Freedom’s Fearful Foe: Poverty.” His reportage resulted in donations from Life readers but also sparked controversy.
Director: Gordon Parks.
Writer: Gordon Parks.
Stars: Flavio da Silva, Peter Martinez.
This excellent short was a very moving look into the life of a little boy in the favelas of Rio. Well worth watching!