Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

City of God

Original title: Cidade de Deus
  • 20022002
  • RR
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
742K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
670
81
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Cidade de Deus (2002)
Trailer for City Of God
Play trailer0:59
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama

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.

IMDb RATING
8.6/10
742K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
670
81
  • 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
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 213Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #23
    • 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

    Photos119

    Leandro Firmino, Darlan Cunha, and Paulo 'Jacaré' César in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Alexandre Rodrigues in Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Leandro Firmino and 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)
    Peter Dinklage and Johnny Nunez 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)
    Fernando Meirelles at an event for 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)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Life Is Beautiful
    8.6
    Life Is Beautiful
    One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
    8.7
    One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
    The Silence of the Lambs
    8.6
    The Silence of the Lambs
    American History X
    8.5
    American History X
    The Pianist
    8.5
    The Pianist
    Léon: The Professional
    8.5
    Léon: The Professional
    Goodfellas
    8.7
    Goodfellas
    Saving Private Ryan
    8.6
    Saving Private Ryan
    12 Angry Men
    9.0
    12 Angry Men
    Schindler's List
    9.0
    Schindler's List
    Se7en
    8.6
    Se7en
    Seven Samurai
    8.6
    Seven Samurai

    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>
    • photographer
    • slum
    • gang
    • brazil
    • favela
    • 307 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 reviews1.1K

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Raw and cult film
    I agree with the other positive reviews here. I just saw this again after 15 years - still far exceeds anything made today when it comes to struggles of troubled youth in urban slums plagued by drugs and violence. So raw. So shocking to the system. Highly recommended!
    helpful•35
    7
    • janicenichols-32565
    • Sep 28, 2018

    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
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Facebook
    • 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
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    ‘Mondocane’ Film Review: Italian Crime Drama Forgets It’s Also Supposed to Be Science Fiction
    ‘Mondocane’ Film Review: Italian Crime Drama Forgets It’s Also Supposed to Be Science Fiction
    May 21The Wrap
    Netflix Announces New Brazilian Entertainment Push, Consolidating Diverse Story Lineup
    Netflix Announces New Brazilian Entertainment Push, Consolidating Diverse Story Lineup
    Apr 18Variety Film + TV

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Cidade de Deus (2002)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of Cidade de Deus (2002) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.