In Rabbit Town, two leaders and two ways of doing politics clash.
It is election time in Recife, Northern Brazil.
When politics become business
It’s election time in the poor urban community of Coelhos, Recife Northern Brazil. Community president Clovis Dindao, and Carlos Santos, local radio host, support opposing political candidates for the election to government of Recife. Clovis works for a friend in the communist party, Carlos supports a right wing football boss from the biggest club in Recife.
Beyond the political differences the two leaders have very different agendas and means. Clovis struggles to make people participate in the democratic process working the streets with his words. Carlos is part of the prevailing system of exchanging votes for money or favours.
An election on street level
Battle of Rabbit Town follows Clovis’ and Carlos’ conflicts, hopes and troubles during the election. The dirty campaigning, the heated speeches, the vote-buying, the parades and the intenses discussions leading up the dramatic, decisive election night.
The first hand perspective gives access to a world rarely seen, and shows how Brazilian politics take place on the streets - between passion and principle, commitment and corruption.
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Politics is everywhere
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When it is election time politics pervades the poor urban communities, the “favalas”. Streets are plastered with propaganda and people dress up in T-shirts with candidate’s names and pictures. It looks like a football match, but it is also a dead serious question about getting food on the table. The election is the chance to get the politicians to contribute to the community - and to individuals. This is the only time where the poor communities have something that the politicians need: votes.
