arabella wynne-hughes photography

The pictures were taken during the 2014 World Cup in Valao - a square in Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio and Brazil. Even though Rocinha was declared pacified in late 2011, there continues to be violent episodes and large police operations in the favela. I stayed in Rocinha for two months to integrate with society and become part of the community thus enabling me to take photos in Valao which is still notorious for its violence. According to many of its residents, times were better without the presence of the police; locals knew the rules to abide by and the law was clearly set out, economy in the favela was better as it was tailored to its inhabitants. The presence of the police hasn’t reduced violence and crime, the government doesn’t seem to consider the needs of the people of the favela and the pacification hasn't affected the corruption and ‘politics’ of Rocinha. The police, who typically hang out at the bottom of the favela with machine guns in one hand and smartphones in the other - are foremost there to create a safer sentiment for tourists and don’t actually enter the favela.