Drug gangs swap pistols and murder for popcorn and movies

Complexo do Alemao, one of the biggest favelas in Rio de Janeiro, used to be known more for drug trafficking than as a place to watch films. This was a no-go area for the police for years, a shantytown full of narrow streets and boarded-up houses, where life resembled something out of Fernando Meirelles’ award-winning film, City Of God. Now, astonishingly, the favela is home to CineCarioca one of the most successful cinemas in Brazil.