CHICAGO – This interview with “Favela Rising [1]” director Jeff Zimbalist [2] is being published on Feb. 29, 2008 in relation to the similar film “City of Men [3],” which opened in theaters on Feb. 29, 2008. Adam Fendelman’s interview with Zimbalist took place much earlier in March 2007.

“Favela Rising” documents the journey of a who man emerges from the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to lead the non-violent cultural movement known as Afro-reggae.

Similarly, “City of Men” documents two best friends – about to turn 18 – who make discoveries about their missing fathers’ pasts that will shatter their solid friendship. The film takes place in the middle of a war between rival drug gangs from Rio de Janeiro’s favelas (slums).