"Cidade dos Homens" (2002) TV series 2002-2005

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Writers:

Guel Arraes (2002)
Regina Casé (2002-2005)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot:

In this original variation on the Latin American telenovela (slow, emotional soap), life in Rio de Janeiro...

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Brasilia | Father Son Relationship | City Of God | Slum

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Darlan Cunha	...	Laranjinha / ... (19 episodes, 2002-2005)
Douglas Silva	...	Acerola / ... (19 episodes, 2002-2005)
Phellipe Haagensen	...	Espeto (9 episodes, 2002-2004)
Camila Monteiro	...	Cristiane (9 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jonathan Haagensen	...	Madrugadão (8 episodes, 2002-2005)

Also Known As:

"City of Men" (International: English title) (literal title) (UK) (USA) (literal English title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-11 | South Africa:16LV | New Zealand:M | Brazil:16 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Company:

Globo Filmes

Trivia:

Laranjinha's real name is Uólace da Silva. Acerola's real name is Luis Claudio Cunha.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Cidade dos Homens (2007)

Soundtrack:

A história de Jorge

Dazzling, but it induces headaches

This is a powerful 19-part fictional series, based on real events and characters, that is ingeniously filmed on the streets, beaches and the notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

'City of Men' recounts the many experiences (some very funny) of two teenagers from the slums trying to remain reasonably honest while poverty, racism, gang warfare and police brutality surround them. The close friendship of the two teenagers is brought to the screen with rare intensity by Darlan Cunha as Laranjinha, a disconnected but charismatic and streetwise figure, and the often bewildered, likable and always horny ('I don't want to die a virgin') Douglas Silva as Acerola. Both of these boys are not trained actors, and were 14 years old when the series started in 2002 (it ended in 2006). It's remarkable to watch these two boys work.

The series is bathed in brilliant day-time colour and ominous night-time danger. People in this film live close to the edge. Murder is an everyday event.

I would offer this caution to viewers: if you're more than, say, 40 years old, you might be subjected to severe headaches brought on by frenetic camera work that would bring delight, no doubt, to MTV junkies. I felt dizzy at times by the rapid-fire quick cuts and the shaky hand-held cameras. No cut appears to last for longer than three seconds. If this kind of stuff doesn't bother you, sit tight and enjoy the ride. For oldtimers like me, I have to deduct two marks for overkill on the sizzle and the dazzle, which I found both unnecessary and distracting. Too much focus (literally) on style, and the messages of the film suffer because of it.