very synergic to faixa de areia, a moving documentary that shows 'the good and the bad sides' of rio de janeiro, rio breaks follows the lives of two adolescent cariocas that juggle their time between the realities of favela life and a passion for surfing, which allows them to dream of a better future.

this 2009 documentary was written and directed by exciting young filmmaker justin mitchell, who strives to explore friendship and hope amongst hardship and adversity, in this optimistic production.

the two protagonists of the film are thirteen-year-old fabio and twelve-year-old naama, who live in a large favela near arpoador beach.