in 1987, over 20 years before the arrival of the upp and well before michael jackson filmed in santa marta, a documentary was shot here, titled 'santa-marta, duas semanas no morro' (santa-marta, two weeks in the favela).

the documentary portrays the everyday life of the residents of the community. It focusses on the positive aspects of life in the favelas, such as music, dancing, socializing and religion, rather than on the damaging negative discourse.

ironically, one of the young people interviewed in the documentary later became a famously wanted drug lord. rumor has it was him who granted michael jackson protection during the filming - the movie can be seen here.