Screenplay:
Bráulio MantovaniCinematography:
César CharloneCast:
Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen, Seu Jorge, Jonathan Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Alice Braga, Gero Camilo (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Walter Salles presents Fernando Meirelles’ blistering epic of drug-trafficking, gang war, burning ambition and violent retribution in Rio’s most notorious slum. Based on real events, "City of God" reveals the dark side of Brazilian street life with an explosive energy. (official distributor synopsis)
Videos (1)
Reviews (9)
Probably the biggest movie experience I've had and I'm not afraid to give it a full score. City of God has a very gritty story set in Rio de Janeiro, with no shortage of dead children and women. Little Z is a devilishly cool villain, the main character, a photographer, is a likable guy, and playboy Denny is the most popular and friendly drug dealer I've ever seen. There's also humor and some very powerful scenes that will stick in your memory for a long time. 95%
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Now. that's what I call proper craftsmanship! The directors literally jumped in headfirst to present a true hell on earth in the most cruel, uncompromising, and "unfortunately" the most realistic point of view. What's more, they didn’t need stars or pools of blood. No, what makes this film so compelling is the shocking fact that this is how life is really lived, and an amazing portrayal of characters as they try to deal with the events around them in the only way possible, with a gun always at hand. Such a film could be interesting even without a plot, but City of God has a very good one, with plenty of action and keeps a very high pace throughout. After the closing credits, I was simply amazed and captivated by the quality and power of the story, which made me even more grateful that I was born here in Czechia, where kids don't get a shotgun or a membership in a killer gang for their tenth birthday.
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This beautifully raw film, City of God, depicting the bloody past of Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous and oldest slum, is exactly the kind of drama that hits you to the core. And not only in form or subject matter, but above all in how incredibly authentic and realistic it is. That's the way movies based on true events should be made, so that their realness cries out to all corners of the world. (95%)
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Well, I don’t think City of God is only an average film, as my rating may indicate, but I simply can’t grant four or five stars to something that never managed to make me interested in how it will end. The editing is very nice, and so are the performances and the direction, but what can I do with that when I didn’t care at all about the story itself?
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An exceptional masterpiece that may only receive true recognition after several years. The Brazilian nature of this film can literally be felt in every second. The filmmakers break away from the typical clichéd story and give us a gritty, realistic experience, where we see the harsh life in the roughest neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The formal aspect is flawless, with fantastic handheld camera, brilliant editing, and sound. The actors (unknown to me) give wonderful performances and the direction is even better.
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Gallery (57)
Photo © 2003 Miramax Films
![City of God - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/159/940/159940979_36ad80.jpg)
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