City of God (2002)
Also known as "Cidade de Deus "
15 miles from paradise...one man will do anything to tell the world everything.
Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Jonathan Haagensen, Matheus Nachtergaele, Seu Jorge, Jefechander Suplino, Alice Braga, Emerson Gomes, Edson Oliveira, Michel de Souza, Roberta Rodrigues, Luis Otávio, Maurício Marques
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Running Time: 130 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
On DVD Alexandre Rodrigues stars as Busca-Pé or 'Rocket', a boy who lives in the Cidade de Deus or City of God, a 1960s favela (housing project) in Rio de Janeiro. The favela is home to the poorest and most desperate of Rio's citizens and becomes a haven of violence and crime. As a child, Busca-Pé watches the infamous Tender Trio - a group of older boys - robbing motels and gas trucks. As he grows up, he sees his peers graduate from being petty thieves through drug dealers into cold-blooded killers. In time, vicious gang leader Li'l Ze (Leandro da Hora) and his companions prosper and come to rule much of the favela.
A little too sensitive and scared to become a real violent criminal, Busca-Pé finds himself at the centre of the favela's action, but separate from it. As he grows older, he begins to understand that he sees things differently. Fascinated by cameras and photography, he eventually acquires a camera of his own, and his photographs come to the attention of a local newspaper. As the last two remaining favela gangs do battle in the 1980s, Busca-Pé takes some of the only photographs that the press will see of the events that take place and the people involved. Through his camera and his special perspective on favela life, he seeks to document and explain what life is really like for the poorest people in Rio.
Based on a true story, 'City of God' is a tale that has impact not just because of the level of violence it portrays but the fact that the violence is merely a reflection of real events. The cinematic values are extremely high, with the director making the most of real favela children to fill much of his cast. All the main cast do a truly convincing job, and really seem to belong in their environment. The film looks wonderful, gritty and authentic, exposing the raw side of Rio life. The story is violent and laden with death, but oddly enough still seems to offer a message of hope by the time it reaches its conclusion.
Also known by its Portuguese title 'Cidade de Deus', the film is based on the novel by Paulo Lins who spent decades living in the favela himself.
DVD Extras: The fine featurette explains some of the real background to the events of the film.
Extras: 'News from a Personal War' featurette.
It's Got: Bags of authenticity.
It Needs: An English-dubbed version to make it accessible to wider audiences, although doubtless that would fail to live up to the subtitled version.
Alternatives: Los Olvidados (The Young and the Damned), O Amuleto De Ogum (The Amulet of Ogum), Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco (Pixote).
Summary: Gripping and authentic true story of life amongst Rio's forgotten poor, where violence is a way of life even amongst children. Not to be missed.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 8th April 2003
External Links
City of God at the IMDB
Comments3 Comments |
| This is the best film released last year, thank god the academy didn't nominate it for best foreign language film which would have been an insult though it should have won at least one reward - just because LOTR was omitted for the last two films was no excuse for ignoring this one this time around. The use of irony, imagery and (non-computer enhanced) cinematography was unrivalled and this film had some of the best acting, albeit by actual kids from the favellas, that I've seen. This film hasnt been seen by half the audience or gotten half the credit it deserves and typifies the monopoly that Hollywood has in this industry. The most innovative film Ive seen since Memento (another film ignored by the academy for Titanic this time) Its convenient that it was LOTR turn to win all these Oscars dont let too many film buffs find out that there are alternatives to manufactured egotistical tripe like Tom Cruises The Last Samurai . Sorry Im probably reading a bit too into this either way its a great film and please recommend it to your friends the more people that see this film and ones like it the better. Also Im not slating LOTR which was a great adaptation of the books which in my opinion were kinda boring anyway, but please tell me why LOTR III was better than LOTR II??? |
| Comment by:- Ivan Terry | | 01 March 2004 | ip: logged |
| My mother got this film out for my sister and I, at first I didn't no what to think I thought it was going to be bad, and that I wouldn't like it.But I was wrong I really liked the film, it really gave me and idea of what some people go though in my country, I recommend this movie to your friends and family.the person that filmed this film did a great job as well!!! |
| Comment by:- Karen Campos | | 26 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| A really well presented, horrifying look at the ghetto life in Rio de Janeiro. One of the best movies ive seen in a VERY long time. I cant beleive that i hadn't heard of it before. |
| Comment by:- Schnoogie | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
