Coruja(2001)

Coruja is a documentary portrait of Brazilian samba singer Bezerra da Silva and the songwriters he championed. Rather than recording established composers, da Silva sought out simple workers and residents of Rio de Janeiro's poorest neighborhoods and suburbs, giving voice to their stories through samba. The film captures his commitment to lifting up overlooked talent from the slums, revealing how his artistic choices reflected a deep connection to the communities he represented. Through da Silva's selections and recordings, Coruja explores the relationship between popular music and social reality in Brazil, showing how samba became a vehicle for the experiences of working-class Rio.