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Northumberland youngsters get a taste of South America

A boy who grew up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and became a successful filmmaker with the film collective Nos do Cinema will be sharing his story with young people across Northumberland next week. Brazilian-born Julio “Cesar” Siqueria was seen as a child in the internationally acclaimed film City of God.

Four schools in Northumberland will now hear first hand about his experiences and will work with him in a film workshop. The project, devised by Creative Partnerships Northumberland, is part of ‘Culture Brazil!’ a series of activities, workshops and events exploring the culture of this diverse country.

Sarah Rutherford, Head of Programme at Creative Partnerships Northumberland, said: “We expect film and media students to get a lot out of this experience. “It’s really exciting for them to be able to see an example of someone whose passion has enabled them to realise their dreams. Julio was switched on by his childhood acting opportunity and he has grabbed every opportunity that followed. “This fits in with the A level media studies syllabus but also plays a vital role in raising aspirations and perception. It shows that if you want to succeed enough you can, no matter what your starting point.”

Pupils at Atkinson House School in Seghill, Queen Elizabeth High School at Hexham, St Benet Biscop Catholic School in Bedlington and Prudhoe High School will spend time with Julio next week, who has flown in from Brazil to take part in this project.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .