VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED INCLUDES MATURE CONTENT THAT SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND DISTURBING
[ GEO ]RIO DE JANEIRO BRAZIL я
[ Rosana Gonsalves ]I live in a community with flourishing drug business. They arrested me thinking I was a gang member.
[ Policeman ]What's this rubbish!
[ Fabio Marcelo Andrade ]The amount of confiscated drugs has increased by about 490 percent since last year.
[ Tatiana Soares ]I was arrested because I dated one of the drug gang's leaders.
[ Ivania Souza Soares ]Women value men not for who they are, but for what they've got.
[ Janaina Fernandes ]Most of the inmates here have long prison
sentences. So we came up with this pageant to cheer them up a little.
[ Lidiane Santos Costa ]I want to get out of here.
[ Lidiane ]I'm determined to win the Miss Talavera Bruce title.
MODEL PRISONERS
[ Voice ]Have you forgotten all about our plans... about our children and home?
[ Voice ]I'd rather be drunk than cheated on. Faith
in love doesn't mean anything anymore.
[ Voice ]I'll be living this thug life until you come back to me.
[ Tatiana ]I was dating a man who was involved in the drug business.
[ Tatiana ]I was suspected of dealing drugs.
TATIANA SOARES SENTENCED TO 9.5 YEARS
[ Tatiana ]I was sentenced to 9.5 years in jail. I did 10 months,
[ Tatiana ]And then I was put on probation. During that time I reflected
on my life quite a bit. On all the mistakes I'd made.
[ Tatiana ]I started dating a municipal guard. I decided
to turn my life around: I got pregnant.
[ Tatiana ]I had a daughter. When she was only 1 month and 22 days old,
they issued a warrant for my arrest regarding that case.
[ Tatiana ]I had to finish my sentence so I went back to jail.
[ Fabio ]Brazil is Latin America's largest country,
operating international flights all over the world.
[ Fabio ]For a number of years, the country has
FABIO MARCELO ANDRADE FEDERAL POLICE CHIEF, GALEÃO AIRPORT, RIO DE JANEIRO
been a transit point for drug trafficking…
[ Fabio ]Via air, land and sea. Criminals use every means they
get to facilitate smuggling drugs into Europe and Africa.
[ Sonia ]I usually walk the dog around passengers on
flights most commonly used to smuggle drugs.
[ SONIA MORAES FEDERAL POLICE AGENT ] It used to be so that people from the lower classes were used as couriers.
[ Sonia ]However, currently we're seeing traffickers
from the very top of the social hierarchy.
[ Sonia ]Usually, they're trying to smuggle cocaine.
[ Sonia ]And they're mostly women.
CRAVING FREEDOM.
[ Rosana ]There's no mirror here, so we do each other's make-up.
[ Rosana ]Let me apply more eye shadow to look even prettier.
[ Rosana ]At home, my 5 kids and I slept together.
[ ROSANA GONSALVES SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS ]Suddenly,
a detective appeared. He asked me to help with the investigation,
then showed a warrant and arrested me, but I had nothing
on me. Now I'm cured, I don't want to do drugs anymore.
[ Interpreter ]What did you do then? Where did you work?
[ Rosana ]Is it ok for me to say what I did for a living?
[ Interpreter ]As long as you feel comfortable, you can.
[ Rosana ]I was a call girl.
[ Rosana ]I viewed it as a way of helping my kids. I'm not educated. It
was the only way to earn money for food and clothes for my kids.
[ Voice ]Hi, pretty ladies. Just look at you, you're a princess!
[ Voice ]What a sweetie-pie! This one looks like Beyonce's friend.
[ SUELLEN SEX WORKER, VILA MIMOSA RED LIGHT DISTRICT ]My dad was an addict.
[ Suellen ]He took dope every day and also drank a lot.
[ Suellen ]He used to beat my mum, me and my brothers up.
[ Suellen ]When I turned 12, I left my parents' home and became a prostitute.
[ Suellen ]It's an honest way of earning a living.
[ Suellen ]Unlike stealing or dealing
drugs. I started abusing drugs...
[ Suellen ]I was totally compulsive.
[ Suellen ]Out of a hundred women involved in prostitution... 99 percent take drugs.
[ Ivania ]When I was 8, I went to a state school. That's where I learned about drugs.
[ Ivania ]I tried pills... then started shooting up. Gradually, I got more and
more addicted, and my life was terrible. I sold drugs and my own body
[ IVANIA SOUZA SOARES FORMER DRUG DEALER, ALEMAO FAVELA ] ...but it wasn't enough for me, so I started running
a favela. I was a lookout for the drug gangs. When a police car drove down the street, I had to make sure
it didn't enter the favela. The only thing Alemao favela girls are interested in is money. As soon as they
see a guy with a gold chain on his neck, or an expensive watch, or gold rings, and sporting a machine gun…
[ Ivania ]If he flashes his cash, maybe not his but borrowed…
they think he's cool. So our kids are seduced by wealth.
[ Ivania ]They think it's the only thing that matters, they crave bling!
[ Ivania ]Sadly, there are many things that lead us into temptation.
LIDIANE SANTOS COSTA SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS
[ Lidiane ]I was at my sister-in-law's when I was arrested. She lives in a neighbourhood
where drugs are sold.
[ Lidiane ]There was a girl working in a drug den and the police thought it was me.
[ Lidiane ]They arrested me, took me to the police station... and now I'm here.
[ Lidiane ]Of course, I hired an attorney, I couldn't do without one.
[ Lidiane ]My case is now being reviewed, I'm waiting for a verdict.
[ Lidiane ]So is my family.
[ Angela Santos Costa ]Would you like to see this album?
[ Enzo ]So many pictures! I like this one a lot. She looks gorgeous in this one.
[ Evenio ]She was only 19 when she was detained.
[ EVENIO SANTOS COSTA LIDIANE’S FATHER ]She was mixing with some bad guys, dope dealers.
[ Evenio ]However, she never took part in pushing drugs herself. We're fighting to prove her innocence.
[ Enzo ]Mummy, I remember that day... and that one... and that one, too.
[ Angela ]Enzo, he's almost like a son to me.
[ ANGELA SANTOS COSTA LIDIANE’S MOTHER ]He keeps asking me why his mother doesn't come.
[ Angela ]I don't share any details with him. Kids pick things up very quickly. He goes to daycare
and I don't want him telling his friends his mum's behind bars.
[ Raquel De Oliveira ]My grandma sold me when I was 9 years old.
[ Raquel ]Gambling den owners ran favelas, not government authorities.
[ Raquel ]Just as drug dealers do these days. One of them became my godfather,
and that's how it all started. I started establishing myself within that system.
RAQUEL DE OLIVEIRA FORMER DRUG BOSS, ROCINHA FAVELA
[ Raquel ]We were enchanted by the drug lords' power.
[ Raquel ]That's when I met Naldo.
[ Raquel ]It was a beautiful love story. We dated, got engaged and then married.
[ Raquel ]In 1988, Rocinha favela was occupied.
[ Raquel ]The same thing happened in 2013.
[ Raquel ]Naldo died from multiple bullet wounds.
[ Raquel ]The house was completely destroyed by gunfire and grenade explosions.
[ Raquel ]That's when I became number one.
[ Raquel ]Naldo had stashed something for me.
[ Raquel ]I took a kilo of marijuana, dug out the guns, set up a packaging
shop and a sales point. All of it in a place overrun with cops.
[ Raquel ]I've been in charge of the drug trade here for three years.
[ Geomagoa ]Come... come here!
[ Geomagoa ] Stop it, Jany! - Let him go, he won't give me a dummy.
[ Geomagoa ] Sit there! - Give it to me!
[ Geomagoa ]Don't make a mess.
[ Voice ]Could you warm a bottle up for me?
[ Geomagoa ]Wait a minute, I'll do it.
[ Rosana ]My mum's always been a wonderful mother,
and she's become a real mother for my kids.
[ Rosana ]My family's proud of me for being chosen to take part in the Miss Talavera Bruce pageant.
[ Rosana ]They can hardly wait for tomorrow to come and see me.
[ Rosana ]I want to play ball. Give it to me.
[ Geomagoa ]I will, calm down!
[ Geomagoa ]Rosana was put in jail because someone snitched on her. My daughter
didn't want to study or work. So she started living this kind of life.
[ Geomagoa ]I tried to give her advice but she wouldn't listen.
[ GEOMAGOA ACONFORADO ROSANA’S MOTHER ]I've got 5 children. - And how many grandchildren?
[ Geomagoa ]Let me count on my fingers. I guess about 10.
[ Geomagoa ]Their parents don't contribute, it's left to me.
[ Geomagoa ]Some have died, some are behind bars.
[ Rosana ]I want to have my own family and spend time with them.
[ Rosana ]I want to give my daughters the best in life.
[ Rosana ]I must take good care of them, so they don't follow in my footsteps.
[ Raquel ]People say you can't walk away from it, but I could because I was the mastermind,
like a football coach who leaves his team behind.
[ Raquel ]I retired from the business but was still hooked on cocaine.
[ Raquel ]I had easy access to it before but not once I left.
[ Raquel ]I took odd jobs, even worked as a cleaner. Each week I'd see a psychologist,
but I didn't pour my heart to him or cry. I was just angry and wanted them to
leave me alone. He gave me a notebook and said: 'Go home, find a spare moment
and write down everything you feel.' I wrote for a year and a half and finished
a novel based on my experiences. Now I'm a celebrity. I don't feel any guilt...
because I've never known a different life. How can you ever choose
a beautiful path if you're walking down a rocky road? It was
the only reality I was familiar with. I'm proud of myself because
[ Raquel ]I was able to make the best of the worst possible circumstances.
[ Legiane ]It is a little competitive: everyone wants to win.
[ Legiane ]I try to follow the girls' example, because staying calm
is the main thing. If you're nervous you can't stride well.
[ Legiane ]I'll be so happy and excited, because I haven't seen my child and father for a long time.
[ Rosana ]We're trying to remove these pock marks.
[ Rosana ]The transformation I'm undergoing is simply amazing.
[ Rosana ]I can't wait to walk down the catwalk, where I'll
show everyone what a fighter I am, and capable of so much.
[ Ingrid ]Their reality is complicated, so they begin to dream.
[ Ingrid ]They look for things that are absent from their lives. Events like this allow
them to get in touch with things they have lost in prison.
INGRID ROCHA CONTEST JUDGE & SECURITY INSPECTOR, PENITENTIARY STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
[ Ingrid ]Their families are so happy to see them like this, because we know families suffer a lot.
[ Tatiana ]My heels aren't too high, just medium: it's been so
long since I wore heels, that I'm afraid of an accident.
[ Tatiana ]The main reason I decided to participate in the pageant
was to bring my whole family together in circumstances that aren't sad,
so they can take pictures and forget the sad times.
[ Tatiana ]It's not too sad, either, because there's still hope.
[ Tatiana ]My dad was my main champion. He wanted me to participate so much.
[ Tatiana ]But I lost him recently.
[ Tatiana ]I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.
[ Tatiana ]And I feel guilty, because I think I disappointed him with what has happened.
[ Tatiana ]I broke up with my daughter's father when I was put in
jail. My parents took on all the care of my daughter.
[ Tatiana ]To be honest, I have no idea how they are coping.
[ Ivania ]Aren't you hot there? There's more air in here.
[ Ivania ]Wouldn't you like to stand up and look at all the people?
[ Ivania ]I was so deranged that my mother registered my first two children in her name.
[ Ivania ]She knew that if she left them with me, I would abandon them.
[ Ivania ]I have a daughter, Raquel... She's got involved in it, too.
[ Ivania ]She's crazy about drugs.
[ Ivania ]My daughter has gone through everything
I did. My son's been on drugs for 18 years.
[ Ivania ]This is what crack does. Look at his fingers. He can't even feel pain in them.
[ Ivania ]He's done so much crack.
[ Ivania ]I'd sell on the beach, hustle at a hotel, in bars.
[ Ivania ]I made a lot of money. One day I was going about
my business, when my future husband walked by.
[ Ivania ]He gave me a home, food, clean clothes and a clean slate.
[ Ivania ]My life changed. I had four children with him.
[ Ivania ]The love of my life.
[ Ivania ]But what pleases me the most is that I've been free of drugs for 33 years.
[ Ivania ]Free from drugs, alcohol and prostitution.
[ Ivania ]And I'd never want to go back.
[ Show woman ]Good afternoon!
[ Rosana ]There they are! Those are my children.
[ Rosana ]I'm getting nervous.
[ Show woman ]It's my pleasure to welcome you to the 12th Talavera Bruce beauty pageant.
[ Show woman ]Let's greet the first contestant, Bruna Lares Tagias da Silva!
[ Man ] What a beauty! You're a lovely brunette, you outshone them all!
[ Tatiana ]Look into the camera. Did you enjoy that?
[ Rosana ]Where's my kiss? Kiss your mummy. My princess!
[ Rosana ] Uncle! How are you?
[ Rosana ] Don't ruin your make-up. Careful, don't ruin it.
[ Rosana ]How wonderful! How lovely!
[ Rosana ]Look at me! Are you shy or something?
[ Rosana ]Come here and hold my hand.
[ Rosana ]I love you.
[ Rosana ]I love you all so much.
[ Rosana ]Oh my God, I can't bear living without them any more.
[ Janaina ]We've been holding this contest for 12 years now,
JANAINA FERNANDES DIRECTOR, TALAVERA BRUCE PRISON
and we take it seriously because we're trying to rebuild their self confidence
through beauty. Our goal isn't just to lock them up, we must try to socialise them.
[ Janaina ]They must be able to re-enter society with this being just one of many episodes in their lives.
[ Janaina ]The prize for the podium places will be the right to use a fan,
a hairdryer, and a hair straightener within the prison walls.
[ Ingrid ]It's important to feel valued, beautiful and self-confident.
[ Ingrid ]As a woman, I know what I'm talking about. Everyone's a winner,
because you're at a really high level. I'm so impressed.
[ Ingrid ]First place goes to... Mayana Rosa Alves!
[ Priest ]God is here to speak to our hearts this morning, to bring us joy and
hope. And he expects us to be brave when things aren't going well;
when something that we've planned doesn't work out;
when something goes wrong halfway along the road.
[ Priest ]I want you to sing along with me.
'God, extend your hand to me once again.'
'My troubled soul is in need of your attention.'
[ Tatiana ]It's great to put on make-up again: it gives you
a feeling of self worth. You forget that you're in prison.
'I'm becoming a winner.'
'I feel my strength flagging
but your presence brings me back to life in this dire hour.'
[ Rosana ]I don't need a prize: use of a hairdryer, straightener
or fan. The best prize for me is seeing my family.
'I'm only human and can't be perfect.'
'Oh, Lord, come and lead my way.'
'Help me be brave with the faith I have.'
'I'm too small and can't stand on my feet.'
'Give me your hand, lift me up.'
[ Evenio ]She dreamt of becoming a model ever since she was little. I
want to believe that once she gets out, she'll start a modelling career.
'My dream is still so far away.'
'I'm only human and can't be perfect.'
[ Voice ]Don't lose hope. Ever!
[ Priest ]Repeat after me:
[ Priest ]I... am more... than a winner!
[ Priest ]God is great.
[ Priest ]Remember, you all have a defence lawyer in him.
[ Tatiana ]I'd like to ask my mother and sister to forgive me for all
the wickedness and the suffering I caused them. And I'd
like to add that they should believe in God and trust my
promise that once I get out, I'll never disappoint them again.
[ Tatiana ]I'll never go to prison or any other bad place again.
[ Rosana ]I want to tell you that you're the best
mum ever. I miss you so much. Please,
forgive me for everything. I love you very much and think of you always.
[ Rosana ]My dear daughters, I love you so much.
[ Rosana ]Thank you so much for being in my life.
[ Legiane ]Hello, my family! First of all, I'd like to use this opportunity
to ask forgiveness for me being where I am now. I promise that once
[ Legiane ]I'm out, everything will be different. I love you very much. So, so
much! You know me better than anyone. And you know what I'm like.
[ Enzo ]Mummy, are you crying?
[ Enzo ]Grandpa, Mummy's crying.
[ Legiane ]That's all I have to say. I just want to thank you
for everything, and more. Thank you so much. I love you.