"Samba on your feet," a documentary by Eduardo Montes-Bradley, explores the shared roots of Carnival and Samba in Brazil and how they’ve come together to form a unique and vibrant culture.

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The journey begins behind the scenes of Rio de Janeiro’s Samba schools. Here, we witness the hard work and dedication of choreographers, dancers, musicians, and costume makers coming together in the spirit of teamwork and collaboration to create a spectacle that celebrates the infectious rhythms of Samba.

The camera of Montes-Bradley also explores nearby favelas, where the audience discovers more links between Carnival and Samba and learns about the cultural history linking both to common African traditions. Cultural historian Haroldo Costa is our host on this pilgrimage to the roots illuminating the importance of Samba in Brazilian culture and explaining its influences on Carnival.

Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply curious about the African diaspora and Latin American culture, we invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey to the world of Carnival and Samba in Brazil.

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Made possible with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of Brasil and the National Institute of Cinematography. Created in collaboration with | Paulo Barros, Haroldo Costa, Teresa Cristina, Xangô da Mangueira, Hermínio Bello de Carvalho, Carlinhos de Jesus, Mart'nália, Tia Surica. Includes a performance by Caetano Veloso.

Cinematography by | Mustapha Barat Sound Department | Bruno Fernandes, Eduardo Vaisman Directed by | Eduardo Montes-Bradley