City of God (2002)
"Cidade de Deus" (original title)

Two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro take different paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer.

Directors:

Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund

Writers:

Paulo Lins (novel), Bráulio Mantovani (screenplay)

Stars:

Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen

Top 250 #21 | Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 57 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alexandre Rodrigues	...	Buscapé - Rocket
Leandro Firmino	...	Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé (as Leandro Firmino da Hora)
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
Alice Braga	...	Angélica
Emerson Gomes	...	Barbantinho - Stringy
Edson Oliveira	...	Barbantinho Adulto - Older Stringy
Michel de Souza	...	Bené Criança - Young Benny (as Michel De Souza Gomes)
Roberta Rodrigues	...	Berenice - Bernice
Luis Otávio	...	Buscapé Criança - Young Rocket
Maurício Marques	...	Cabeção - Melonhead

Storyline

Brazil, 1960's, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well...too well. 1970's: Li'l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980's: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs...will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | boy | slum | city of god | growing up | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, drug content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Mars Distribution (French) Official site

Country:

Brazil France

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

30 August 2002 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

City of God

Filming Locations:

Cidade de Deus, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Box Office

Budget:

$3,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$21,728 (South Africa) (5 September 2003)

Gross:

$7,563,397 (USA) (18 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

O2 Filmes, VideoFilmes, Globo Filmes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min 135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The shot where we see a lot of dead bodies lying on huge blocks of concrete was recreated from an award-winning photograph taken during the drug war portrayed in the movie.

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Goofs

When Bené throws Neguinho out (after he, Neguinho, has killed his girl friend) the amount of blood on Bené's T-shirt changes

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Quotes

[first lines]
Zé Pequeno: Whoa, the chicken ran away. Get that chicken, dude!

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits shows pictures of the main actors, their name, their character's name and pictures of the real life characters (for the ones based on existing people).

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Connections

References The Cameraman (1928)
Character in middle of gang war takes pictures for news corporation

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Soundtracks

"Dance Across the Floor"
Written by Harry Wayne Casey / Ronald Finch
Performed by Jimmy Bo Horne
EMI Music Ltda Div. Itaipu / EMI Longitude Music / Harrick Music

User Reviews

City of God was Incredible

I knew nothing of this film before I saw it by chance in a rare Pub open screening, but boy was I glad I got the chance to take a look. I was riveted all night - I completely ignored my friends! I thought it was an awesome re-enactment of a true story - powerful, moving, raw, real - and even funny in parts. I walked away afterwards, beaming. It's rare a great film like this is made, especially these days. I gave it ten out of ten. Please see it if you can.