Carlos Diegues, one of Brazil’s most acclaimed film directors, is working on a new project that he hopes will challenge stereotypes of Rio’s favelas and become a box office hit: a remake of his 1962 movie “Cinco Vezes Favela,” or “Five Times Favela.”

Originally produced by upper class film students, the remake is being made by five aspiring directors from Rio’s slums. Each director must produce a 20 minute segment that will become part of the complete feature film. With a US$2 million budget and coaching from some of Brazil’s best directors, like Fernando Meirelles and Walter Salles, the film has high expectations. Diegues hopes the budding directors will achieve fame and success, while being able to accurately portray where they come from.

The creators of the movie hope to portray the slums in a different light, after the success of violent films like “Cidade de Deus” and “Tropa de Elite.” The stories in the film are comedies and upbeat tales to focus on hope and the positive aspects of slum life. The film will be distributed by Sony/Columbia Pictures.

See more info here, and check out a behind the scenes look at the project below.