Even considering the industry trend of releasing TV series to serve as prequels or sequels to globally acclaimed movies, we did not see this one coming. It seemed highly unlikely that anyone would dare to open this Pandora’s box involving what is one of the best Brazilian movies of all time. But if such a risk was taken, it must have been for a reason! Honestly, our expectations were high for this first season. 

The first impression was positive. Developing the narrative around a photographer allowed the director to take some insightful “snapshots” throughout the each episode, opening a window to see inside some of the darkest aspects in the daily life of the inhabitants of a Brazilian favela. In fact, the social problems and dilemmas highlighted are more accurate to the ones found nowadays in real life, as this TV show can (and should) be seen as an harsh criticism to these issues.

One of the aspects of the story that has aged well is related to Busca Pé (Rocket). It is bittersweet to see the transformation of the curious and pacifist kid roaming the favela with his camera into the professional photographer employed by a local newspaper. In fact, that young kid is now a grown man and a father and we are introduced to his daughter Leka, with whom Busca Pé has an uneasy relation, fueled by Leka’s criticism of some of the content her father produces for the newspaper – revealing at some point an intriguing ethical dilemma.