City of God (2002)
8.429 /10
8186 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Buscapé - Rocket
... Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé
... Bené - Benny
... Dadinho - Li'l Dice
... Cabeleira - Shaggy
User reviews
It’s a great film and well worthy of its the respect it has. It’s gruelling too, the 18 rating is due to the thread running through the film of continuous and ruthless violence of gangs trying to control their drug area. The is the story told through the eyes of ‘Rocket’ who avoids getting in to the gang war of his brother and friends by trying to find a safer life.
The film combines slick production without losing a genuine documentary feel which I think it is why it’s so enduring. While it achieves a feeling of reality, it isn’t specifically a true story. However, the Cidade de Deus is real (being created to rehouse the slums away from Rio de Janeiro) and this story of its underworld and the film’s production makes one believe it may not be too far from the truth. There is hope in the story but not a lot.
Director:
Release Date:
2002-08-30
Run Time:
129 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
City of God
It’s a great film and well worthy of its the respect it has. It’s gruelling too, the 18 rating is due to the thread running through the film of continuous and ruthless violence of gangs trying to control their drug area. The is the story told through the eyes of ‘Rocket’ who avoids getting in to the gang war of his brother and friends by trying to find a safer life.
The film combines slick production without losing a genuine documentary feel which I think it is why it’s so enduring. While it achieves a feeling of reality, it isn’t specifically a true story. However, the Cidade de Deus is real (being created to rehouse the slums away from Rio de Janeiro) and this story of its underworld and the film’s production makes one believe it may not be too far from the truth. There is hope in the story but not a lot.
Told by way of an occasionally narrated retrospective, "Rocket" (Alexandre Rodrigues) tells us a story of his childhood in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Growing up in a community of newly built boxes, without power or plumbing, that reminded me of a row of concrete beach huts, the community is pretty lawless. The crime is largely to confined to pettier crimes, but as aspirations grow so does the scale of the criminality. A raid on a motel-cum-brothel is supposed to make everyone extra cash, but their inventive young watchman "Li'l Dice" (Douglas Silva) hates being left out and so does a little augmenting of his own. Brutal and attention grabbing. Next the cops crack down, bodies pile up and the societal order starts to change. It's this young man who grows up into the leading drug-peddling hoodlum amongst a now much more developed township where, tempered only by his more diplomatic childhood friend "Bené" (Phellipe Haagensen), the newly named "Li'l Zé" (Leandro Firmino) is ruling the roost. Curiously, his own form of government proves more stable for the residents, and although many are addicts there is a certain degree of law-and-order. Then the runts start to intervene. These are the young children with no hope, no families and only the dream of becoming their own version of "Li'l Zé" one day too. Gradually, the empire expands until it's only "Carrot" (Matheus Nachtergaele) who stands against him. When tragedy strikes very close to home for the kingpin, though, the uneasy peace between the two sections breaks out into an open warfare that drags in the sharpshooting army vet "Knockout Ned" (Seu Jorge), arms all the enthusiastic children and creates an environment that isn't safe for anyone - and where the police keep their distance in the hope that they will just all just slaughter each other. It's lucky that "Rocket" can use a camera. His boss wants publicity to illustrate how dominant and powerful he is. The newspapers want the photographs too. If the young man can walk the tightrope carefully, he might find himself well placed to capitalise on his unique access to a story that by now is gripping their nation. This is a fascinatingly well put together depiction of the worst of human nature; a dog eat dog world, where traditional humanity is scarce and the virtues of a not so benign dictatorship are exposed for all to see. The characterisations are mostly brutal and exploitative, yet there is a place for love and loyalty too amidst a poverty stricken population that craves basics like food and running water and is oblivious to death in the streets. The story is well supplemented by some engaging supporting characters like "Steak n' Fries", "Goose", "Shaggy" and "Thiago" (Daniel Zettel or is it really Timothée Chalamet?). The writing delivers powerfully but sparingly. We don't have loads of waffling dialogue, and there's also quite a bit of dark humour contained to not so much lighten the mood as to enhance the perception amongst most of the population that kill or be killed was a perfectly reasonable mantra. Firmino, Haagensen and Rodrigues deliver extremely well here in this most impressively photographed and intense look at a society where the top dog was only top by feeding and starving his followers. It's not especially graphic, I found, just a poignant look at survival of the fittest, the shrewdest and the luckiest. There's also a distinct lack of religiosity throughout, too! If you can see this at a cinema, then do - it's based on a true story and isn't an easy watch.
Cast & Crew of
City of God
Cast
... Buscapé - Rocket
... Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé
... Bené - Benny
... Dadinho - Li'l Dice
... Cabeleira - Shaggy
... Sandro Cenoura - Carrot
... Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned
... Alicate - Clipper
... Angélica
... Barbantinho - Stringy
... Barbantinho Adulto - Older Stringy
... Bené Criança - Young Benny
... Berenice - Bernice
... Buscapé Criança - Young Rocket
... Cabeção - Melonhead
... Editor do Jornal - Rogerio Reis
... Filé-com-Fritas - Steak and Fries
... Gelson - Gerson
... Lampião
... Lúcia Maracanã
... Marina Cintra
... Marreco - Goose
... Mulher do Paraíba - Shorty's Wife
... Namorada do Galinha - Knockout's Girlfriend
... Neguinho - Blacky
... Otávio
... Pai Buscapé - Rocket's Father
... Paraíba - Shorty
... Rafael
... Thiago - Tiago
... Tio Sam - Uncle Sam
... Touro
... Tuba
... Vizinha do Paraíba - Shorty's Neighbor
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Caixa Baixa - Runts
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang / Bando Cenoura
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Bando Cenoura - Carrot's Gang
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Cocotas - Groovies
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Polícia - Police
... Aristóteles
... Ba
... Exu
... Garoto viciado - Addicted Kid
... Gerente do supermercado - Supermarket Manager
... Grande - Big Boy
... Irmão Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned's Brother
... Irmão Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned's Brother
... Jabá
... Jovem Trabalhador - Young Worker
... Mãe Buscapé - Rocket's Mother
... Motorista do DKW - Driver
... Mulher do Neguinho - Blacky's Wife
... Mulher do Ônibus - Woman on Bus
... Pastor da Igreja - Shepherd of the Church
... Paulista - Man from São Paulo
... Recepcionista do Motel
... Newspaper Employee (uncredited)
Crew
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Production Design
... Producer
... Production Manager
... Producer
... Producer
... Director of Photography
... Makeup Artist
... Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Creature Design
... Screenplay
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Original Music Composer
... Original Music Composer
... Costume Design
... Production Manager
... Executive Producer
... Costume Design
... Sound Designer
... Dialogue Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Recordist
... Steadicam Operator
... Sound Effects Editor
... Third Assistant Director
... Second Assistant Director
... Assistant Director Trainee
... Assistant Director Trainee
... Director
... First Assistant Camera
... Co-Director
... Assistant Editor
... Novel
Similar Movies To
City of God
Awakenings (1990)
7.772/10
Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.
Release: 1990-12-04
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
7.242/10
In the early 1900s, Miranda attends a girls boarding school in Australia. One Valentine's Day, the school's typically strict headmistress treats the girls to a picnic field trip to an unusual but scenic volcanic formation called Hanging Rock. Despite rules against it, Miranda and several other girls venture off. It's not until the end of the day that the faculty realizes the girls and one of the teachers have disappeared mysteriously.
Release: 1975-09-02
Thirteen (2003)
6.676/10
When 13-year-old Tracy befriends Evie, the most popular girl in school, her life is turned upside down as Evie introduces her to a world of sex, drugs, and money. But it isn’t long before Tracy’s new lifestyle begins to take a heavy toll on her and her family.
Release: 2003-08-20
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
6.876/10
Several years after leaving the orphanage, to which her father never returned for her, Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar. She's both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname Coco from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A liaison with Baron Balsan gives her an entree into French society and a chance to develop her gift for designing.
Release: 2009-04-22
Dude...We're Going to Rio (2003)
9/10
Pharrell Williams is in L.A and he sees a travel poster for Brazil, he falls in love with the woman on the poster and travels to Rio de Janeiro to find her.
Release: 2003-06-13
The Sitdown (2024)
0/10
When a mother’s passing brings together her lawyer son and mobster husband.
Release: 2024-11-20
Soultribe: A Dance of Life (2023)
0/10
Three families struggle to find their true selves and their soulmates in a world full of expectations, pressure and obstacles. Inspired by real events, this film shows how they pursue their dreams and potential without losing themselves.
Release: 2023-11-02
Show Me Love (1998)
7.1/10
Two teenage girls in small-town Sweden. Elin is beautiful, popular, and bored with life. Agnes is friendless, sad, and secretly in love with Elin.
Release: 1998-10-23
New Police Story (2004)
7.146/10
Sent into a drunken tailspin when his entire unit is killed by a gang of thrill-seeking punks, disgraced Hong Kong police inspector Wing needs help from his new rookie partner, with a troubled past of his own, to climb out of the bottle and track down the gang and its ruthless leader.
Release: 2004-09-23
Infernal Affairs II (2003)
7.3/10
In this prequel to the original, a bloody power struggle among the Triads coincides with the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, setting up the events of the first film.
Release: 2003-10-01
Die Like a Man (2025)
2.5/10
Set in the heart of a rapidly gentrifying west Los Angeles neighborhood still reeling from decades of guns and gang violence across the four corners near Venice, a working-class single mom desperately tries to wean her 17-year-old son Freddy away from a veteran gangster who has become a father figure to him.
Release: 2025-04-25
Invincible (2006)
7.011/10
Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
Release: 2006-08-25
Joyeux Noel (2005)
7.368/10
France, 1914, during World War I. On Christmas Eve, an extraordinary event takes place in the bloody no man's land that the French and the Scots dispute with the Germans…
Release: 2005-11-09
Le génie du crime (2006)
3.7/10
Two gangsters had a mission to start a case of arson, but instead they kidnapped the daughter of crazy mafia boss.
Release: 2006-11-02
It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
6.6/10
A comedy following the tragic life of the legendary Frankie Wilde. The story takes us through Frankie's life from being one of the best DJs alive, through a subsequent battle with a hearing disorder, culminating in his mysterious disappearance from the scene.
Release: 2004-09-12
Sabrina (2020)
0/10
Based on real events. Over a turbulent 24-hour period, followed by the loss of her part-time job, SABRINA (Mara Da Costa Reis) world is turned around. As she struggles with her emotional upheaval, we see her perspective shift to that of an outsider, observing the rhythms of a city that’s cold and indifferent to her struggle, making her question her place in the big city. She’s ultimately faced with whether she wants to continue to be a part of it, only to come to a quiet realization that she’s got the strength to persevere. *This film is dedicated to the loving memory of MARA DA COSTA REIS, whom we miss so dearly. A talented creative soul who poured her heart into this film and all the other projects she was ever part of.
Release: 2020-08-11
Takedown (2024)
3/10
A troubled teen struggles to balance between life in wrestling and his love for the arts.
Release: 2024-09-23
Arthur the King (2024)
7.545/10
Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.
Release: 2024-02-22
Girlhood (2014)
6.5/10
Oppressed by her family setting, dead-end school prospects and the boys law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of three free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her dress code, and quits school to be accepted in the gang, hoping that this will be a way to freedom.
Release: 2014-10-22
Think of England (2025)
0/10
In 1943, six disparate souls are sent on a secret government mission to produce pornographic propaganda films for the boys on the front, each one struggling under the weight of their own conscience in this war-torn world, and it's not about to get any easier.
Release: 2025-11-14