Video: Moving Portraits

After the earthquake that stuck her home city of Kobe, Mako came to Brazil. She not only adopted the language and culture but follows her passion : Brazilian music. She recalls as a child in Japan being put down by a school teacher who told her she would never make it to the stage. Her aspirations well underway, today she performs with renown orchestras in Rio de Janeiro such as Monobloco, PianOrquestra, Mulheres de Chico, and has just released her second bossa nova album, Oasis. True to her roots, and a brilliant example of making dreams come true, her first album can purchased off iTunes here > goo.gl/NmylTS Her official website > http://www.makobrasil.com/ @instagrambrasil #verãoseulindo2016 #movingportaitsbyMe @makobrasil #CarnivalneverEnds #Cariocalife

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on Feb 25, 2016 at 8:41am PST

Valdecir Rosa has been living and working in Rio de Janeiro for well over 16 years. Working as a fashion designer for some of the most famous Brazilian brands, he has seen his patterns and motifs worn by national and international celebrities alike. Humble, modest and usually discreet, this year he decided for carnival to bring his talent to designing some of his own fantasias; The Brazilian word for costumes. #verãoseulindo2016 @instagrambrasil @valdethings #Cariocalife #Carnival #movingportaitsbyMe

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on Feb 15, 2016 at 11:21am PST

I met @educastelo over eight years ago in Brazil. Talented designer, and graphic artist - Edu is at the heart of the GLBT scene in Brazil. Regarded as one of the most influential gay DJs in South America, his signature V de Viadão parties are the talk of town since the first broadcasted gay kiss just under two years ago. Activist, and artist I filmed him last night while he prepared to host the first "Gay Gala" during carnival here in Rio de Janeiro. And edited it to the background sounds and television newscasters. #carnival #Brazil #verãoseulindo2016 @instagrambrasil #movingportaitsbyMe

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on Feb 8, 2016 at 4:25am PST

Just over a year ago I met this wonderful woman in Rio de Janeiro. The following summer she came to visit me in Paris, my city. I remember in the train heading to the airport being so anxious that I missed my stop - racing frantically from terminal to terminal around Charles de Gaule international airport nearly missing her. Just like the notes from the accordion player in the train or the melodies of Piaf, some things in life we wait for, and others make life stand still. Back in Brazil, and prepared to hit the streets. Dressed in our costumes and sparking with glitter. After the wait, our love is prepared. Join us, for this is carnival, shared in all of its five senses. #verãoseulindo2016 #carnival #Brazil #CinqSens #cincosensos #truelove @instagram_france @instagram @instagrambrasil #movingportaitsbyMe #grammasters3

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on Feb 8, 2016 at 4:45am PST

Serge Makanzu Kiala performs “Waiting for Godot” at Fabrica Bhering in Rio de Janeiro with sounds by Robertinho Silva. In the tradition of performance art, refugee Congolese sculpture, Serge Makanzu Kiala now living in Brazil explains his actions as, “an unexpected voyage, I had yet to prepare; for political reasons and not”. Preformed just days prior to the opening of a refugee artists group show, "Tradução Provisória", at Fábrica Bhering, in Rio de Janeiro, on May 5th, 2016. With sounds by Brazilian percussionist and musical icon Robertinho Silva and images by visual artist Kim Badawi, this collaborative work invokes themes of migration, travel and endless transit with visual and auditory experiences from Africa to Brazil. @instagram @instagrambrasil @robertinhosilva50 #movingportraitsbyme #refugeecrisis #performance #art #Congo #Brazil #SergeMakanzuKiala #RobertinhoSilva #WaitingfotGodot #FabricaBhering #Caritas #MINUTOREFUGIADOS #Caritas #UNHCR #ACNUR

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on May 25, 2016 at 1:10pm PDT

Claudine arrived to Brazil two years ago from Democratic Republic of Congo. Back home, she had a proper job and happy life. Today she works as a maid while pursuing her passion; working as a stylist and fashion designer. Living in the suburb of Bangu, about 1-2 hours outside of the city of Rio de Janeiro. She continues to make her own designs using African textiles and motives combined Brazilian symbolism. This collaborative video with sounds by Brazilian percussionist and musical icon Robertinho Silva, is the featured entry in the one minute festival supported by UNHCR. @instagram @instagrambrasil @robertinhosilva50 #movingportraitsbyme #refugeecrisis #art #Congo #Brazil #RobertinhoSilva #MINUTOREFUGIADOS #Caritas #UNHCR #ACNUR

A video posted by Kim Badawi (@kimbadawi) on Jun 7, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT