City Of God Review

In Brazil there are 120 million people. 50% of them are under 21. 28 million of them live below the lowest standards set by the International Children's Rights Agency of the United Nations. Last year 7,000 boys from 12- to 22-years old died in shootings. This is the background for the disturbing Brazilian film, City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. City of God is a "favela" (government housing project) on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro where the Brazilian government dumped undesirables and homeless in the 1960s. The film is based on real events described in a novel by Paulo Lins, who lived in the project for thirty years and spent ten years researching the events. It is an unsparing portrait of a sociopathic generation, where manhood is determined by who can kill the most. When a child is ridiculed for being too young to join one of the gangs, he replies, "I smoke, I snort. I've killed and robbed. I'm a man."

The film’s title is very ironic. This is a not a blessed city, its the city God forgot. Some say that the name of the favela refers to the fact that most of these young men get to see God quicker than anyone else. For survival, there are only two choices: kill or be killed, become part of the crime element or be consumed by it. L’il Ze chooses the first option, rising to the ranks of gang leader. Rocket opts instead for the second, becoming a photographer, and documenting the hell that L’il Ze supports.

Not only are the characters in City of God absolutely fascinating, and also very endearing, but also convincingly acted by groups of young and unknown actors. The stories are well-told, and at times, funny, and at others, brutally shocking.

The cinematic style of the film gives a nod to Tarantino, with some clever time-jumping, freeze-framing, and texts indicating another chapter of the film.

Easily one of the best movies of the the decade. I believe this is one of the most powerful, and truly realistic stories, that can truly show the hardships of reality, and the decisions given to people, and how they choose to accept different opportunities. All the of the characters are wonderfully developed and all have their own identity to add to the message of the film. The locations in which the film was shot are almost a character unto themselves and I left wanting to see more of this slum of Rio de Janiero.

***** Great Movie Dont miss it

See this link for info on the slums in the movie. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/15/1047583738542.html