City of God (2002)

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 (co-director)

Writers:

Paulo Lins (novel), Bráulio Mantovani (screenplay)

Stars:

Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele

Top Rated Movies #22 | Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 75 wins & 43 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 Gomes	...	Bené Criança - Young Benny (as Michel De Souza Gomes)
Roberta Rodrigues	...	Berenice - Bernice
Luis Otávio	...	Buscapé Criança - Young Rocket
Kiko Marques	...	Cabeção - Melonhead (as Maurício Marques)

Storyline

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. Yet 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.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | slum | gang | brazil | favela | 

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Taglines:

If you run, the beast will get you. If you stay, the beast will eat you

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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:

lighthouse pictures [Singapore] (English) Mars Distribution (French)

Country:

Brazil France Germany

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

13 February 2004 (USA)

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 USA:

$88,292, 19 January 2003

Gross USA:

$7,564,459

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,680,793

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

In the DVD commentary track, director Fernando Meirelles reveals that the shot in which we see Alicate, Cabeleira and Marreco through the bumper of the gas truck is a homage/spoof of the TV series Charlie's Angels (1976) (the three boys are seen holding their guns pointing to different ways).

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Goofs

When the Tender Trio are running away into the woods after they crashed into a neighbor's house, Shaggy says that Goose messed up his ankle but it's actually Clipper. Goose's ankle is fine.

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Quotes

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

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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.

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Alternate Versions

The brief orgy scene in the brothel killing sequence was edited out of the version screened in Singapore, despite the movie's R(A) rating (for 21 year olds and older).

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Connections

Referenced in Eagle Eye (2008)

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Soundtracks

Preciso Me Encontrar
Written by Candeia
Performed by Cartola
BMG Music Publishing Brasil
Licensed by EMI Music Ltda

User Reviews

Shocking, Stylish & Brutal Story

Wow, this is one of those different movies - meaning not run-of-mill by any means - and one of those which isn't pleasant to watch but one you might find yourself mesmerized by it.

This also is one of those "based on a true story" films which makes it even more shocking, if its mostly true. The story is of the many young (pre and early-teen) criminals inhabiting an area just outside the big city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It has the feel of a documentary with real-life street kids but is upgraded considerably by fantastic camera-work, some very innovative cinematography. In other words: stylish.

Make no mistake: without that stylish look, the film might be too much of a downer. The street kids are interesting but really brutal, so be prepared. I mean, how often do you see 12-year-old killers portrayed on film? The violence, language and drug use are rough in here and what a sad comment on this social problem in Brazil, a country with a huge problem with these street gangs. Overall, a very tough but fascinating film.