Nicola Dracoulis

Social documentary and Portrait Photographer

Viver No Meio do Barulho - Rio

Follow Hire

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Nationality: Australian/British

Biography: Nicola Dracoulis is a portrait and social documentary photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. A graduate of the London College of Communicationâ€™s MA Photojournalism, she has produced work in the UK, Brazil and Australia. Dracoulis captures... MORE

Complexo do Alemao 2013 Previou...ae were chased out of the area.

1 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Complexo do Alemao 2013 Previously one of the most dangerous favelas, Complexo do Alemao was pacified in 2010, meaning the police raided the area, battled to get drug dealers off the streets, and installed themselves as a 24/7 guard for the community. The government claims to be cleaning up the citys occupied favelas with its pacification (UPP) program but things are not as simple as that, Complexo do Alemao is a good example. There are certainly less gunfights, and people are able to move around more freely. But in recent months, 4 police officers were shot by drug dealers here, and the social intergration between the police and residents is still not entirely comfortable. The Teleferico (or cable car) opened in 2011 as an undeniable example of the governments dedication to connecting the favelas to the city. But this multi-million dollar construction has not been so popular with residents who say the money could have been better spent on social services like health care. The Telefericos capacity to improve mobility for residents is exaggerated, as they already have an efficient combi van and moto-taxi system to get around. The red, black and green building in the valley is an abandoned hostel that NGO Afroreggae were just about to open mid-2013 when the building was set on fire and employees received death threats due to rifts between Afroreggaes head, the local drug bosses and a pastor who had been recently sent to jail. After being one of the most high profile agents for social change for over 8 years in the Complexo, Afroreggae were chased out of the area.

Rio de Janeiro 2013.  ...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

2 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Rio de Janeiro 2013.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vi...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

3 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vigario Geral 2006.
LecÃ£o is now 25 years old and lives in the same house in Vigario Geral as he did in 2006 with his mother sister Kelly (pictured here) nephews and nieces. Six years ago Lecao rescued Kelly's youngest son Billy from adoption and raises him as his own. Billy now 6 lives in LecÃ£o's old room and LecÃ£o is applying to be his official guardian. LecÃ£o works as a musician in many bands as well as recently trying his hand at acting. He is working full time on building his career as a musician and entertainer. He wrote the song this project is named after Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vi...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

4 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vigario Geral 2013.
LecÃ£o is now 25 years old and lives in the same house in Vigario Geral as he did in 2006 with his mother sister Kelly (pictured here) nephews and nieces. Six years ago Lecao rescued Kelly's youngest son Billy from adoption and raises him as his own. Billy now 6 lives in LecÃ£o's old room and LecÃ£o is applying to be his official guardian. LecÃ£o works as a musician in many bands as well as recently trying his hand at acting. He is working full time on building his career as a musician and entertainer. He wrote the song this project is named after Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

LecÃ£o and Billy Magalona talki...ng this project is named after.

5 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

LecÃ£o and Billy Magalona talking while walking in Vigario Geral 2013.
LecÃ£o is 25 years old and lives in the same house in Vigário Geral as he did in 2006 with his mother, sister Kelly, nephews and nieces. Six years ago LecÃ£o rescued Kelly's youngest son Billy (pictured here) from adoption and raises him as his own. Billy now 6 lives in LecÃ£o's old room and LecÃ£o is applying to be his official guardian. LecÃ£o works as a musician in many bands as well as recently trying his hand at acting. He is working full time on building his career as a musician and entertainer. He wrote the song this project is named after.

Anaderges House Vigario Geral 2...clear all the water and debris.

6 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Anaderges House Vigario Geral 2013 Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) Anaderges de Jesus Souza Vigario Geral Now 22 Anaderges was 15 years old when I first met her she works as a manicurist and is the proud mother of two year old Jamilly. They live in the same house in Vigario Geral as when I met her back in 2006 14 family members sleep here in a tiny four room house. The house is falling apart and desperately need attention. Anaderges parents are struggling to make improvements due to lack of money and currently neither can work due to health issues. They have a pile of materials to do the work but no money to complete it. Two years ago heavy rains caused a big flood which filled this house up to two metres they lost all their furniture and pictures on the walls. They couldn t get any official help so they all moved to an aunties places for one night and came back the next day to clear all the water and debris.

Anaderges de Jesus Souza Vigari...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

7 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Anaderges de Jesus Souza Vigario Geral 2006. Now 22 Anaderges was 15 years old when I first met her she works as a manicurist and is the proud mother of two year old Jamilly. They live in the same house in Vigario Geral as when I met her back in 2006 14 family members sleep here in a tiny four room house. The house is falling apart and desperately need attention. Anaderges parents are struggling to make improvements due to lack of money and currently neither can work due to health issues. They have a pile of materials to do the work but no money to complete it. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Anaderges de Jesus Souza, Vigár...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

8 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Anaderges de Jesus Souza, Vigário Geral 2013. Now 22 Anaderges was 15 years old when I first met her she works as a manicurist and is the proud mother of two year old Jamilly. They live in the same house in Vigario Geral as when I met her back in 2006 14 family members sleep here in a tiny four room house. The house is falling apart and desperately need attention. Anaderges parents are struggling to make improvements due to lack of money and currently neither can work due to health issues. They have a pile of materials to do the work but no money to complete it. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Cantagalo/PavÃ£o/PavÃ£ozinho - ...s much more complex and unsure.

9 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Cantagalo/PavÃ£o/PavÃ£ozinho - These 3 favelas sit side by side on a hill above Ipanema overlooking the entire bay from Copacabana around to Leblon Pacified in 2010 the morro (hill) has undergone a lot of change new people have moved in some foreign some more middle class people and it was heralded as one of the cities clean up success stories until mid 2013. Back in 2006 Cantagalo was one of the more calm hills it was easier to walk around and they had a police station that was manned during the day. There was still gang related activity but compared to places like Complexo do Alemao and Parada de Lucas Cantagalo was laid back. Since the UPP (Police Pacifying Units) moved in - they have taken over a high rise building a number of residents had been evicted from their homes either because they were too risky as structures of they were in the way of progress many houses have been demolished in order to make way for a road to provide services. In 2013 alot of this work was still awaiting construction. A big improvement was that a new elevator had been built from the base of the hill at back of Ipanema which provides a whole new level of safe efficient access for residents. In 2013 as a foreigner I could come and go freely from the neighbourhood up the new lift. This was not so possible in 2006. The peace brought by pacification in Pavao/Pavazinho came under threat in October 2013 when the drug gangs started to fight back against the police resulting in one young man being shot and killed by the police. The authorities claimed he was a known member of a gang but residents disagreed and had carried his body down the hill to the street level. Since then there has been more regular problems at the same time other pacified favelas like Complexo do Alemao have become unstable. While international newspapers talk about how the city is being swept clean in preparation for the World cup and Olypmpics the reality is much more complex and unsure.

Part of the series Viver no Mei...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

10 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

Marciana Oliveira de Menezes an...ng in the Middle of the Noise).

11 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Marciana Oliveira de Menezes and her parents at home 2013. Now 25 years old Marciana still lives in the same house with her family in Complexo do Alemao but spends most of her time at her boyfriends place down the street. She was dancing in Afroreggae workshops back in 2006 but now works in a shop selling clothing in Centro the city centre. She misses dancing full time and hopes that if I return in 7 years she will have her own children. Her dad wants you to know he never wears a shirt. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise).

Marciana Dancing, Complexo do A...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

12 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Marciana Dancing, Complexo do AlemÃ£o 2006.
Marciana Oliveira de Menezes now 25 years old still lives in the same house with her family in Complexo do Alemao but spends most of her time at her boyfriends place. She was dancing in Afroreggae workshops back in 2006 but now works in a shop selling clothing in Centro. She misses dancing full time and hopes that if I return in 7 years she will have her own children.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Binho's Flip Flops, entran...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

13 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Binho's Flip Flops, entrance to Binho s house 2006. Herbeson Binho Alves Parada de Lucas/Linda Primavera Binho now 27 lived in Parada de Lucas in 2006 he moved to Linda Primavera two years ago partly due to the murder of his father. As with many tragedies in the favela there is still no clear reason for his father's death especially confusing because he had nothing to do with the local drug faction. Binho has been enterprising enough to land himself a job as a digital communications specialist. With a payout from his previous job Binho was able to buy some land in Linda Primavera a suburb just north of Rio de Janeiro his house is the second to be constructed on a street that still has no name. He is currently extending his own house building a house for his brother in law and has plans to also build homes for his mother and mother in law on the same property. Life is much calmer and safer now.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Footbridge entrance to Vigário ...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

14 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Footbridge entrance to Vigário Geral 2006.
The main entrance to Vigário Geral is via this footbridge. Drug dealers stand on the steps keeping watch for police and enemy factions. Things were fairly tense here in 2006 and had been much worse in the 90 s - it became infamous in 1993 for a mass murder of 21 innocent residents by corrupt police looking for revenge on local drug dealers. Vigario Geral is not pacified (not occupied by police) but it is in 2013 more peaceful since the local 20 year old war with Parada de Lucas ended. It ended because Terceiro Commando (drug faction occupying Lucas) invaded Vigario and drove out the occupying Commando Vermelho. Now one faction occupies both neighbourhoods and so there is no war less gunfights less fear of being in the street fewer days of being trapped inside your own house waiting out a street battle. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Binho and Tati Alves, Parada de...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

15 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Binho and Tati Alves, Parada de Lucas 2006.
Binho now 27 lived in Parada de Lucas in 2006 he moved to Linda Primavera two years ago partly due to the murder of his father. As with many tragedies in the favela there is still no clear reason for his father s death especially confusing because he had nothing to do with the local drug faction. Binho has been enterprising enough to land himself a job as a digital communications specialist. With a payout from his previous job Binho was able to buy some land in Linda Primavera a suburb just north of Rio de Janeiro his house is the second to be constructed on a street that still has no name. He is currently extending his own house building a house for his brother in law and has plans to also build homes for his mother and mother in law on the same property. Life is much calmer and safer now. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

Binho and Tati Alves, Linda Pri...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

16 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Binho and Tati Alves, Linda Primavera 2013.
Binho now 27 lived in Parada de Lucas in 2006 he moved to Linda Primavera two years ago partly due to the murder of his father. As with many tragedies in the favela there is still no clear reason for his father s death especially confusing because he had nothing to do with the local drug faction. Binho has been enterprising enough to land himself a job as a digital communications specialist. With a payout from his previous job Binho was able to buy some land in Linda Primavera a suburb just north of Rio de Janeiro his house is the second to be constructed on a street that still has no name. He is currently extending his own house building a house for his brother in law and has plans to also build homes for his mother and mother in law on the same property. Life is much calmer and safer now. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

Newly built house in Linda Prim...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

17 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Newly built house in Linda Primavera a new suburb next to more established Jardim Primavera, Duque Caxias. Many people are moving to this outer region north of Rio to build their own homes as property prices in the city are so high.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

School shirts on Clothesline, C...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

18 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

School shirts on Clothesline, Complexo do AlemÃ£o 2006.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Rafael Teixeira on the streets ...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

19 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Rafael Teixeira on the streets of Complexo do AlemÃ£o, 2006.
Now 25, Rafael is living with his wife and 3 year old son in Complexo do Alemao. Rafael has overcome a lot of challenges in his life. In 2006 he had been struggling to stay out of working for the local drug faction he had just raised enough money to replace the roof to the room that he and his mother are standing in. Unfortunately he succumbed to a crack addiction for 2 years until he was helped by AfroReggae and a local church into rehab. He is now working with AfroReggae in Parada de Lucas on a project interviewing and photographing families in the community. He is proud of where he is today and is mainly focused on providing a good life for his wife and children.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Hanging in the Gym, Complexo do...g in the Middle of the Noise) .

20 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Hanging in the Gym, Complexo do AlemÃ£o 2006.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise) .

Gun Graffiti Complexo do AlemÃ£...ing in the Middle of the Noise)

21 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Gun Graffiti Complexo do AlemÃ£o, 2006.
Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise)

Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Co...ng in the Middle of the Noise).

22 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Complexo do AlemÃ£o 2006.
Now 25 Rafael is living with his wife and 3 year old son in Complexo do Alemao. Rafael has overcome a lot of challenges in his life. In 2006 he had been struggling to stay out of working for the local drug faction he had just raised enough money to replace the roof to the room that he and his mother are standing in. Unfortunately he succumbed to a crack addiction for 2 years until he was helped by AfroReggae and a local church into rehab. He is now working with AfroReggae in Parada de Lucas on a project interviewing and photographing families in the community. He is proud of where he is today and is mainly focused on providing a good life for his wife and children. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise).

Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Co...ng in the Middle of the Noise).

23 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Complexo do AlemÃ£o 2013.
Now 25 Rafael is living with his wife and 3 year old son in Complexo do Alemao. Rafael has overcome a lot of challenges in his life. In 2006 he had been struggling to stay out of working for the local drug faction he had just raised enough money to replace the roof to the room that he and his mother are standing in. Unfortunately he succumbed to a crack addiction for 2 years until he was helped by AfroReggae and a local church into rehab. He is now working with AfroReggae in Parada de Lucas on a project interviewing and photographing families in the community. He is proud of where he is today and is mainly focused on providing a good life for his wife and children. Part of the series Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise).

Viver No Meio do Barulho - Rio

24 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Jessica Penha's house, Cantagalo, 2013

25 of 25 © 2024 Nicola Dracoulis

Jessica Penha's house, Cantagalo, 2013

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Close

Thumbnail of Complexo do Alemao 2013 Previous_gae were chased out of the area.

Thumbnail of Rio de Janeiro 2013.  P_ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vig_ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of LecÃ£o and Kelly Magalona in Vig_ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of LecÃ£o and Billy Magalona talkin_ong this project is named after.

Thumbnail of Anaderges House Vigario Geral 20_ clear all the water and debris.

Thumbnail of Anaderges de Jesus Souza Vigario_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Anaderges de Jesus Souza, Vigári_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Cantagalo/PavÃ£o/PavÃ£ozinho - T_is much more complex and unsure.

Thumbnail of Part of the series Viver no Meio_ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of Marciana Oliveira de Menezes and_ing in the Middle of the Noise).

Thumbnail of Marciana Dancing, Complexo do Al_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Binho's Flip Flops, entranc_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Footbridge entrance to Vigário G_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Binho and Tati Alves, Parada de _ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of Binho and Tati Alves, Linda Prim_ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of Newly built house in Linda Prima_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of School shirts on Clothesline, Co_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Rafael Teixeira on the streets o_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Hanging in the Gym, Complexo do _ng in the Middle of the Noise) .

Thumbnail of Gun Graffiti Complexo do AlemÃ£o_ving in the Middle of the Noise)

Thumbnail of Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Com_ing in the Middle of the Noise).

Thumbnail of Rafael Teixeira and his mum, Com_ing in the Middle of the Noise).

Thumbnail of Viver No Meio do Barulho - Rio

Thumbnail of Jessica Penha's house, Cantagalo, 2013

Private Story

Viver No Meio do Barulho - Rio

Copyright Nicola Dracoulis 2024

Updated Sep 2016

Location Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Topics Documentary, Photography

The title, Viver no Meio do Barulho (Living in the Middle of the Noise), comes from a song written by one of the subjects of this documentary project set in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It describes growing up in a world as a young person trying to take charge of their own destiny amid the noise of gunshots and drums, in a world of poverty and inequality.

In 2006, Nicola Dracoulis photographed nine young people across four favelas in Rio. Seven years on, she has reconnected with those same people to discover what their lives are like now.

Like any group, each person has a different story, some with dramatic events in their journeys, some with more quiet rites of passage. Universal themes of growing up are depicted alongside the challenges and social is- sues faced by those specific to growing up poor in Brazil. These everyday stories offer another perspective on a world that is often eclipsed by the media attention on glamorous beach carnival life or dramatic violent crime.

While all eyes are on Brazil with the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Nicola investigates the rum- blings of social and economic change in Brazilian society through the worlds of people who are living through it. Since 2006, the country has undergone a number of changes and she has met with a new version of Rio de Janeiro, asking these young adults to share their personal experiences at another significant moment in their lives. Some things change, some things remain the same.

656

Also by Nicola Dracoulis —

Story [Unlisted]

Cuba

Nicola Dracoulis

Sep 28, 2016

Story [Unlisted]

Rio De Janeiro

Nicola Dracoulis

Sep 28, 2016

Story [Unlisted]

Recent Work

Nicola Dracoulis

Sep 28, 2016

Story [Unlisted]

Portraits

Nicola Dracoulis

Sep 28, 2016

Sign-up for
For more access