Rio — -2011-

The statistics were staggering. In 2011, Rio saw a 20% drop in homicides compared to the previous year. For the first time, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue—which was undergoing its own renovation in 2011—was viewed from favela hillsides that were now patrolled by policiais rather than drug traffickers. However, critics noted that this "pacification" was primarily a branding exercise for the upcoming World Cup, displacing poor communities to make way for real estate speculation.

Watch the official celebration of 15 years of animated magic from The Academy: Rio -2011-

The 2011 animated film , directed by Carlos Saldanha, follows the journey of Blu, a domesticated Spix's Macaw who travels to Rio de Janeiro to save his species. Social Media Post Ideas Option 1: Anniversary Celebration (15 Years) The statistics were staggering

One of the defining traits of early 2010s animation was the reliance on celebrity voice actors, and Rio boasted an impressive ensemble. Jesse Eisenberg, fresh off his Academy Award nomination for The Social Network , was perfectly cast as Blu. His signature stammering, fast-paced delivery lent itself perfectly to a neurotic bird who overthinks every situation. Jesse Eisenberg, fresh off his Academy Award nomination

Jesse Eisenberg (Blu), Anne Hathaway (Jewel), Jamie Foxx (Nico), and George Lopez (Rafael).

To understand the magic of Rio , one must understand the intent behind it. Carlos Saldanha, who had previously directed the massive global hits Ice Age: The Meltdown and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs , harbored a deep desire to tell a story set in his native Brazil. In an era where animated films often defaulted to generic fantasy kingdoms or American suburbs, Saldanha wanted to showcase the specific textures of Rio de Janeiro.

To understand Rio in 2011, you must understand the Brazilian economic miracle. In 2011, Brazil was the world’s sixth-largest economy. President Dilma Rousseff was in her first year in office, and Rio was the epicenter of a commodities-driven boom.