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    City of God

    Original title: Cidade de Deus
    • 20022002
    • RR
    • 2h 10min
    IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    712K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    573
    38
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Trailer for City Of God
    Trailer0:59
    2 Videos
    99+ Photos
    CrimeDrama

    In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.

    • Directors
      • Fernando Meirelles
      • Kátia Lund
    • Writers
      • Paulo Lins(novel)
      • Bráulio Mantovani(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Alexandre Rodrigues
      • Leandro Firmino
      • Matheus Nachtergaele
    Top credits
    • Directors
      • Fernando Meirelles
      • Kátia Lund
    • Writers
      • Paulo Lins(novel)
      • Bráulio Mantovani(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Alexandre Rodrigues
      • Leandro Firmino
      • Matheus Nachtergaele
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1KUser reviews
    • 230Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Top rated movie #22
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 74 wins & 50 nominations total

    Videos2

    City of God: Blu-Ray
    Trailer 0:59
    City of God: Blu-Ray
    City of God
    Trailer 0:55
    City of God

    Photos114

    Leandro Firmino, Darlan Cunha, and Paulo 'Jacaré' César in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Alexandre Rodrigues in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Douglas Silva in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Leandro Firmino and Paulo 'Jacaré' César in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Jonathan Haagensen and Roberta Rodrigues in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Jonathan Haagensen, Renato de Souza, and Jefechander Suplino in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Alice Braga and Alexandre Rodrigues in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Fernando Meirelles at an event for Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Fernando Meirelles at an event for Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Fernando Meirelles at an event for Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Cidade de Deus (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alexandre Rodrigues
    Alexandre Rodrigues
    • Buscapé - Rocketas Buscapé - Rocket
    Leandro Firmino
    Leandro Firmino
    • Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zéas Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé
    Matheus Nachtergaele
    • Sandro Cenoura - Carrotas Sandro Cenoura - Carrot
    Phellipe Haagensen
    • Bené - Bennyas Bené - Benny
    Douglas Silva
    Douglas Silva
    • Dadinho - Li'l Diceas Dadinho - Li'l Dice
    Jonathan Haagensen
    Jonathan Haagensen
    • Cabeleira - Shaggyas Cabeleira - Shaggy
    Seu Jorge
    Seu Jorge
    • Mané Galinha - Knockout Nedas Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned
    Jefechander Suplino
    • Alicate - Clipperas Alicate - Clipper
    Alice Braga
    Alice Braga
    • Angélicaas Angélica
    Emerson Gomes
    • Barbantinho - Stringyas Barbantinho - Stringy
    Edson Oliveira
    • Barbantinho Adulto - Older Stringyas Barbantinho Adulto - Older Stringy
    Michel Gomes
    • Bené Criança - Young Bennyas Bené Criança - Young Benny
    • (as Michel De Souza Gomes)
    Roberta Rodrigues
    • Berenice - Berniceas Berenice - Bernice
    Luis Otávio
    • Buscapé Criança - Young Rocketas Buscapé Criança - Young Rocket
    Kiko Marques
    • Cabeção - Melonheadas Cabeção - Melonhead
    • (as Maurício Marques)
    Gustavo Engrácia
    • Editor do Jornal - Rogerio Reisas Editor do Jornal - Rogerio Reis
    Darlan Cunha
    • Filé-com-Fritas - Steak and Friesas Filé-com-Fritas - Steak and Fries
    Robson Rocha
    • Gelson - Gersonas Gelson - Gerson
    • Directors
      • Fernando Meirelles
      • Kátia Lund
    • Writers
      • Paulo Lins(novel)
      • Bráulio Mantovani(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Brazil, 1960s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well...too well. 1970s: 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. he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs...will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God. —Jeff Mellinger <jeffmellinger@astound.net>
    photographerslumgangbrazilfavela296 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • If you run, the beast will get you. If you stay, the beast will eat you
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, drug content and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When we hear Buscapé (Alexandre Rodrigues) talking to Marina (Graziella Moretto) about how "he never took a hot bath", that was not scripted. Actually, that was Rodrigues and Moretto talking off camera, during a pause in the shooting, when the boy (who lived on the slums) was telling her about his life.
    • Goofs
      Lil' Ze is taken into custody by the police, Rocket runs after the police truck. The Police truck passes by a late - model Chevrolet S10, black, circa 2001. The movie is set in the seventies.
    • Quotes

      Buscapé: It was like a message from God: "Honesty doesn't pay, sucker."

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits there is shown actual real-life footage of the real Mané Galinha, or Knockout-Ned as he is translated into in the American version of the film. This is in fact the same TV interview we see constructed in the film, and we can see that the filmmakers have copied this TV interview down to the smallest detail.
    • Alternate versions
      The Indian Censor Board deleted the visuals of frontal nudity in the motel and the dialogue of two ladies about sexual experiences. It was given an 'A' (restricted to adults) certificate.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Best Films of 2002 (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Alvorada
      Written by Cartola / Carlos Cachaça / Hermínio Bello de Carvalho (as Hermínio B. Carvalho)

      Performed by Cartola

      Peer Music do Brasil Edições Musicais Ltda

      Licensed by EMI Music Ltda

    User reviews1K

    Review
    Top review
    One of my top 10
    I have made an effort to watch all the movies in IMDb's top 100 rated list. As of now, I'm looking for a place where the DVD for Sunset Blvd. is (currently at #30). But this movie is one of the movies I've seen that's on the list. And I find it an amazing film (currently #5 on my top 10 list). What I enjoy about this film is the visual look of the film, but also the way the director puts you in the story. At the end of the film you have become friends with just about everyone in the film, even though some of the characters are very despicable people. The violence hits you in the chest like a load of bricks sometimes, especially when you recognize that many of the kids involved in the violence are right around 10 or 11, but you also realize that this reflects the culture of the slum these kids live in.

    Gangster films always seem to make for good dramas (e.g. the Godfather, Goodfellas), where the culture of evil almost always triumphs as the dominant character. This film is no different, but it shows the life of children in places where bribery and corruption reigns supreme. It also shows the bravery of many of these people when even the government won't stick up for them.

    If you're thinking of starting to watch some foreign language films, this is a good place to start. It is a classic IMO among films made in languages besides English. I did find that the subtitles in this film were done rather poorly (they displayed on my DVD player at the wrong times and it took a few plays to figure out who was saying what.) But I think the film itself is a truly great film.
    helpful•232
    81
    • michaelgs
    • Nov 26, 2004

    FAQ3

    • Is 'City of God' based on a novel?
    • Why is the favela called "City of God"? It seems like just the opposite.
    • The "Runts" frequently mention the formation of a "Red" gang. Is there any significance to this?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 2004 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Brazil
      • France
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • lighthouse pictures (Singapore)
      • Mars Distribution
    • Language
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Ciudad de Dios
    • Filming locations
      • Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • Production companies
      • O2 Filmes
      • VideoFilmes
      • Globo Filmes
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • R$3,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,564,459
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $88,292
      • Jan 19, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,680,793
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 10min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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