City Of God
2002
Two features. Youth gangs took over the slums of Rio de Janiero during the 1960s and didn't relinquish their stronghold until the mid-1980s. Only a sucker wouldn't have turned to crime and this is exactly how naive teen Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) views himself in 'City Of God'. His attempts in illegal activity fail as he .. Read more
| Starring | Matheus Nachtergaele, Seu Jorge, Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora |
|---|---|
| Director | Katia Lund, Fernando Meirelles |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller, World Cinema |
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City Of God
Two features. Youth gangs took over the slums of Rio de Janiero during the 1960s and didn't relinquish their stronghold until the mid-1980s. Only a sucker wouldn't have turned to crime and this is exactly how naive teen Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) views himself in 'City Of God'. His attempts in illegal activity fail as he finds potential victims too friendly. Equally unsuccessful in love, he regularly fails to lose his virginity. Blood spills throughout the streets of the Ciudad de Deus as gang leader Li'l Ze (Douglas Silva) is challenged by local druglords and a gang of pre-teens known as the Runts. Rocket shoots all of this action with his weapon of choice, a camera. Director Fernando Meirelles combines visual flashiness with dark history in telling the story of three decades of unrest in underground Rio de Janiero. Technically flawless, the Brazilian film uses a rapid-cutting style to flash back and forth in time. Cinematographer Cesar Charlone shoots with an overexposed glow in a film that may seem numb to violence, but reveres photography. Director Meirelles was assisted by Kaita Lund, a filmmaker who had previously shot in the Rio ghettos. Also includes 'Hero'.
| Starring | Matheus Nachtergaele, Seu Jorge, Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora |
|---|---|
| Director | Katia Lund, Fernando Meirelles |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 15 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Portuguese |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 Jul 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Inspired by Paulo Lins's fact-based novel, this three-act chronicle of gangland rivalry on the streets of Rio de Janeiro resists the temptation to glamorise crime, as so many New York Mob movies have done. Yet director Fernando Meirelles's audacious visual style may disconcert those expecting a neorealistic approach to the story of a teenage hoodlum's rise and fall. Comparisons with GoodFellas are certainly valid, as the often explosive and meticulously designed action spans the late 1960s to the early 1980s. But the no-holds-barred authenticity of the non-professional juvenile cast and Meirelles's edgy social commitment make it a wholly unique experience.
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In essence, this resembles many slickly-made Hollywood gangland drug dramas: what sets it apart is the age of its swaggering, gun-toting street kids Ð many are barely teenagers Ð and the vitality of the acting from its non-professional cast.
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Most helpful member's review
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156 out of 165 people found this review helpful
Worth the Effort
I have to be honest I put the film on and saw the subtitles, played around on the DVD trying to find the english soundtrack, no joy. Oh well might as well keep it on while I finish my cup of tea. Two hours later I sat there gob smacked. The photograpthy throughout was superb, acting just as good. But its the story that grips you, from start to finish. Reading the subtitles is no longer a chore. If you have never watched a subtitled movie before (like myself) I can wholeheartedly recommend giving this one a go!
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Excellent, Touching story
The film is subtitled - so what? It takes NOTHING away from the film. After the first 5/10 minutes, I don't think you even realise there are subtitles because the film is so engrossing. The acting was superb from everyone in the film. Although violent I personally don't find that a problem and actually the find the violence in this film an actual part of the story rather than just there for gratification as is the case of many films on the market. Dfeinitely in my top 10 films of all times.
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News and features
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City of Men
- 14 Jul 2008
Six years ago, a gangster film set in the favelas of Rio had a tremendous impact all around the world. City of God was co-directed by Fernando Mereilles (responsible for the flashy, Scorsese-style camera style) and Katia Lund (who worked with the cast, mostly kids who came straight from the same impoverished background depicted in the movie). Young people everywhere responded to its stunningly visceral portrait of a brutal, desperate lifestyle, where everybody carried a gun and death could... Read more
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Two features. Youth gangs took over the slums of Rio de Janiero during the 1960s and didn't relinquish their stronghold until the mid-1980s. Only a sucker wouldn't have turned to crime and this is ... -