City of God
Chris's take
A wonderfully shot film that is rich in style and full of life. This unique Brazilian twist on the classic gangster movie hits as hard as it does due to the realistic and deep characters throughout that find strength through desperation. The film's personality will capture your heart, but make no mistake, at no point does it hesitate to showcase the true brutality of the favela environment.
Director
Fernando Meirelles
Cast
Alexandre Rodrigues
Buscapé - Rocket
Leandro Firmino
Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé
Phellipe Haagensen
Bené - Benny
Douglas Silva
Dadinho - Li'l Dice
Jonathan Haagensen
Cabeleira - Shaggy
Matheus Nachtergaele
Sandro Cenoura - Carrot
Seu Jorge
Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned
Jefechander Suplino
Alicate - Clipper
Plot overview
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.