ônibus 174 (bus 174) tells the tragic story of a real bus hijacking at the hands of  a favela resident.  covered live on tv across brazil in 2000, this event paralyzed the nation for 4 hours.  the film examines life in the favelas by narrating the life of the hijacker, as well as the relationship between favela residents and law enforcement officers via interviews with street youths, sociologists,  and elite police force bope agents. 

written and directed by josé padilha, director of tropa de elite (elite squad), this documentary received renewed attention in august 2011, when a similar hostage situation again took place in rio.  2002, 133 minutes. the trailer can be seen here.

more documentaries are mentioned throughout this chapter along with information relating to specific neighborhoods.