On May 21, 2024, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) premiered the documentary “It’s more than you see: The invisible impacts of armed violence” in Fortaleza, the capital of the Brazilian state of Ceará, located in the northeast region of the country. The event featured reflections and debates on pain, trauma, interrupted dreams, and life stories impacted by this phenomenon.
The film presents six stories of lives affected by armed violence, a phenomenon with severe humanitarian consequences for the population. Throughout the documentary, testimonies from those impacted are combined with scenes of adolescents and children in playful situations. Experts and authorities discuss ongoing actions and potential ways to address this difficult reality.
Approximately 300 people attended the event, held in partnership with the Bom Jardim Cultural Center (CCBJ) at the São Luiz Cinema-theater. The program also included the screening of the short film “Uz Crias na Periferia,” created by young people from the CCBJ, and a popular theater performance by Brincantes Sonoros.
Following the screening, Alexandre Formisano, head of the Regional Delegation for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay at the ICRC, joined a panel discussion with authorities and experts on the subject. “One of the objectives of this production was to show that armed violence phenomena are not isolated. They are collective phenomena,” he stated. As he sees it, as the consequences of violence become more visible, responses to these impacts will be better targeted through multidisciplinary public programs and policies.
Girliany Costa, mother of Douglas Barros, who has been missing since 2019, also participated in the debate and the film. For Girliany, it was an opportunity to highlight not only her struggle but also that of the collective group “Women of Faith with Hope”, composed of families of missing persons. “The International Committee supported and continues to support me so that I do not give up the fight to find Douglas”, she said.
The discussion panel also included Ceará’s Secretaries of Human Rights, Socorro França, and Culture, Luisa Cela; Fortaleza’s Secretary of Education, Jefferson de Queiroz Maia; and Luiz Fábio Silva Paiva, Coordinator of the Laboratory for the Study of Violence at the Federal University of Ceará. The panel was moderated by the Superintendent of the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture, Helena Barbosa.
João Victor Farias, a 23-year-old psychology student, attended the premiere and, at the end of the screening, spoke about his connection with this ICRC initiative. “This was a very important film. I also come from an underprivileged area of the city, and I’m also marked for life by violence because I lost my father. Participating in this event was very enriching as it made me realize that these impacts are not as invisible as they seem,” he concluded.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has been present in the Brazilian state of Ceará for over five years, supporting authorities in developing and implementing multidisciplinary and sustainable responses for the benefit of communities impacted by armed violence. This work is carried out directly with affected individuals, as well as with federal and state authorities, and civil society.
The protection efforts translate into initiatives such as collaboration with families of missing persons, support for individuals and families displaced due to armed violence, actions to promote psychosocial well-being and mental health for those impacted, and the application of methodologies that enhance the resilience of public services in vulnerable regions, contributing to the population’s access to health, education, and social assistance.
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