Hossam Nawab Safavi on the Balcony Where Michael Jackson Filmed a Video
Hossam Nawab Safavi on Instagram: "This is the balcony in the city of Salvador where Michael Jackson performed. It means a great deal to the people of this city."
Nawab Safavi has traveled to Brazil to watch the World Cup matches.
Michael Jackson filmed a scene from the music video for the famous song "They Don't Care About Us" on this balcony in 1996. The video was filmed in Brazil at two locations: Dona Marta and Salvador.
The mayor at the time was concerned that showing the conditions of the impoverished neighborhood in Michael's video would leave a bad impression on the world. The city was a candidate to host the 2004 Olympic Games. The mayor attempted to block the filming through legal means but was unable to stand against the people, who were eager to see Michael Jackson. In addition, the people hoped that by having their impoverished neighborhood featured in Michael's video, they could draw the world's attention to their problems. In this music video, Michael — using imagery from across the neighborhood — cried out on behalf of the local people against the police and authorities, demanding to know why they paid no attention to this impoverished community and its people. He sang of their cruelty and indifference.
At that time, Dona Marta was under the control of a drug trafficking gang. In exchange for signing a contract committing them not to harm Michael and his crew, they received a large sum of money. Now the police have cleared the area of traffickers and use the neighborhood for security initiatives. All manner of facilities and social services have been made available in this former shantytown, including wireless internet access.
A statue of Michael now stands on the rooftop of a newly established cultural center in the area. Its founder says: "Michael opened the world's eyes to the social situation in Rio de Janeiro. He brought awareness with him and put Dona Marta at the center of attention." (Read more)
The crime-ridden shantytown of 1996 is now a symbol of social progress for Rio de Janeiro... and Michael Jackson was the one who set that transformation in motion.
This epic song by Michael Jackson has become music of protest against injustice and is used in many such contexts. May his memory be honored.
Source: eMJey.com / hnsafavi
Hossam Nawab Safavi on Instagram: "This is the balcony in the city of Salvador where Michael Jackson performed. It means a great deal to the people of this city."
Nawab Safavi has traveled to Brazil to watch the World Cup matches.
Michael Jackson filmed a scene from the music video for the famous song "They Don't Care About Us" on this balcony in 1996. The video was filmed in Brazil at two locations: Dona Marta and Salvador.
The mayor at the time was concerned that showing the conditions of the impoverished neighborhood in Michael's video would leave a bad impression on the world. The city was a candidate to host the 2004 Olympic Games. The mayor attempted to block the filming through legal means but was unable to stand against the people, who were eager to see Michael Jackson. In addition, the people hoped that by having their impoverished neighborhood featured in Michael's video, they could draw the world's attention to their problems. In this music video, Michael — using imagery from across the neighborhood — cried out on behalf of the local people against the police and authorities, demanding to know why they paid no attention to this impoverished community and its people. He sang of their cruelty and indifference.
At that time, Dona Marta was under the control of a drug trafficking gang. In exchange for signing a contract committing them not to harm Michael and his crew, they received a large sum of money. Now the police have cleared the area of traffickers and use the neighborhood for security initiatives. All manner of facilities and social services have been made available in this former shantytown, including wireless internet access.
A statue of Michael now stands on the rooftop of a newly established cultural center in the area. Its founder says: "Michael opened the world's eyes to the social situation in Rio de Janeiro. He brought awareness with him and put Dona Marta at the center of attention." (Read more)
The crime-ridden shantytown of 1996 is now a symbol of social progress for Rio de Janeiro... and Michael Jackson was the one who set that transformation in motion.
This epic song by Michael Jackson has become music of protest against injustice and is used in many such contexts. May his memory be honored.
Source: eMJey.com / hnsafavi