Synopsis

In the beautiful coastal city of Recife, Brazil – a world capital for sex tourism - a couple of determined women decided they would try to break the cycle of domestic violence and get kids off the streets. Hummingbird goes onto the streets and sees the harsh reality these kids face and shows how these programs help break the cycle, giving people a chance.

After reading an article about the child sex trafficking industry, Holly Mosher began to research this little talked about problem. During that search, she came across two remarkable programs that work directly with street children

in the beautiful coastal city of Recife, Brazil – a worldwide hub for sex tourism.

Hummingbird goes onto the street to see the reality of these kids, and then goes into the programs to see just how these high risk kids can be helped.  Although the recovery process is slow - it can be successful.

The film follows the story of Adriana, a girl who left home at the age of six and had a daughter at age 11. She matter-of-factly tells how street life is and how the program worked for her. We also see the root of the problem, which starts with violence at home. The kids are running away from this reality, only to find what waits for them is a life with little hope. After seeing the cycle that leads kids to the street, the programs began addressing family issues at the root of the problem to combat them, often successfully, from all sides.

In Recife, a few determined women decided they would try to make a difference in their community. And as Cecy recounts the fable of the lion and the hummingbird, which inspired her to open this program, we see how we could all do our part within our communities to try to make this world a better place to live.

The film follows the story of Adriana, a girl who left home at the age of six and had a daughter at age 11. She matter-of-factly tells how street life is and how the program worked for her. We also see the root of the problem, which starts with violence at home. The kids are running away from this reality, only to find what waits for them is a life with little hope.

After seeing the cycle that leads kids to the street, the programs began addressing family issues at the root of the problem to combat them, often successfully, from all sides. 

“Filmed on location in the less-desirable sections of the Brazilian city of Recife. Holly Mosher’s devastating documentary Hummingbird profiles the work of two local nonprofits working with street children and abused women (among the most harrowing and heartbreaking of the stories here is that of Adriana, a child who was forced to leave her violent household at the age of six and who became a mother at the age of 11 following a vicious sexual assault). Run by women, these organizations are clearly addressing issues that the Brazilian government would prefer to ignore, and this astonishing tribute highlights their bravery and courage in rescuing abused and at-risk children, as well as helping frightened mothers break the cycle of violence and ensure a better future for themselves and their children– all done with an indefatigable spirit in the face of threats, financial difficulties, and a culture seemingly unable or unwilling to reform itself.”

— Review from Video Librarian September/October 2005 (Volume 20, Issue 5) (2005) 48 min. DVD