City Of God (Cidade De Deus) [DVD] [2003]

Aspiring photographer Rocket (Rodrigues) recounts the story of the Brazilian slums and the times run by Li'l Ze (Firmino) and his gangWhen Slumdog Millionaire was released a few years ago it was critically praised for its sharp depiction of the African slums and the difficulty of Dev Patel's character's life and encoding that with a popular TV programme and heart warming love story, and so if you were a fan, prepare to have your mind warped by one of the darkest and violent slum films arguably ever created.Released 8 years ago now the story plays a reflection on Paulo Lins' novel which is based on a true story of the real gangs in Brazil during the 1960's and 70's. Which I hadn't realised till afterwards which honestly, makes the entirety of this production seems unbelievable. As much as Danny Boyle demonstrated a wisdom in India, Fernando Meirelles has shaken up something gob smacking original and authentic that will entertain, shock, make you laugh and cry and to tell a story of such violence and drama, of such childhood troubles and such forces corruption, blows the mind.The story opens in the present with a well executed quick cutting chicken chase that has the central character in the middle of the street and the Brazilian gang on one side and the police on the other, a cinematic piece of art that sets the tone for the style of the director and the execution for the start of a brutal yet enjoyable narrative.The plot shifts back in time and walks us through the formation of the notorious gang leaders of the slums and how childhood ignorance and neglect can form one of the greatest criminals ever. The hotel violence sequence is an effective handheld camera montage of brutality and force that shakes up what should be a normal environment but works on so many levels of shock. From seeing teenagers with guns to the violent rampage of attacks this is a unthinkable collection of representations.There of course is unsettling teens all over the world, particularly aggressive in the UK and America thanks to media influence but within this setting of the Brazilian rural areas, shows us how peer pressure of a creative and influential power can ultimately upset a childhood's youthful ignorance and freedom.As the film shifts through different character stories, the pace maintains its steady pace of drug and weapons dealings and the power of authority and how violence upsets the established order. The dialogue is assertive and precise from all characters and though the novel should not be touched in my opinion, you would like to think it is a great adaptation, gaining an Oscar nomination.The cinematography is one of the big winners here with glorious lighting and hand shaking shots and using multiple twists in a story of childhood subjection to the surroundings is a winner and as before, like Slumdog? You will be aghast at this piece of perfection cinematic construction.9/10

City of God tells the story of Rocket, who grows up in the favellas of Rio. He has little interest in becoming a member of a gang, instead he has a passion for photography. Ultimately it is this passion that proves to be his best chance of an escape route out of the slums, and into what most people would consider to be a "normal" life.The film compares Rocket's escape from the favellas to the other 99% who never make it out of poverty, and who rarely make it past the age of 20. When related to these, the psychotic Li'l Zee is something of a success story. He at least becomes a leader, if only through his complete lack of regard for human life. Benny is Rocket's friend - he does not partake in the gang violence, and hopes to leave the favella with his girlfriend. Sadly, this proves beyond him. It is with the inevitable destruction of all the things that Rocket values, that he makes his attempt to leave for a better life.I was somewhat surprised to read reviewers who thought that there was not sufficient character development, or who thought that there was no-one to support in this film as a result. Rocket watches the world - his character is defined by the events that unfold. His silent detachment perfectly conveys his character, and his profession as a photographer. As the boy who rejects all the evils of the favella life, Benny is the perfect sympathetic character. His ultimate fate is the catalyst for Rocket's flight - there is no longer anything there for Rocket, in terms of characters to whom he can relate, so he runs.The DVD also contains a brilliant documentary on the favellas, which is worth half of the purchase price on its own. Once this has been viewed, it becomes apparent that the constant violence in the film is necessary, because that is the life that these people lead. There is a frank and shocking admission by the Rio chief of police that the violence is uncontrollable, and that the police have had to become corrupt simply to compete with the criminals, who carry the latest in armaments. The documentary adds a tremendous amount to the package - it may even be worth watching before the film.This film is very authentic - many of the supporting actors are untrained favella locals. It should feel low budget, because it clearly is, but this only adds to the level of realism. In fact, I cannot think of a single reason to detract from this film, and I am awaiting Katia Lund's next directoral effort with anticipation.

I love this movie. It came on time and in great condition.

Consiglio la visione a tutti

Item came quickly, well packaged and at a fair price. Excellent seller.

Weit weg, von den Hochglanzpostkarten Rios,.....da liegt die Stadt Gottes. Hier gibt es wenig Zuversicht,dafür aber um so mehr Gewalt. Überfälle, Schlägereien,Morde und Anstiftung dazu. Das volle, traurige, realeProgramm.Auch solche Filme verdienen erhört zu werden.In unserer überwiegend heilen und durchstrukturiertenWelt senken wir die Augen...vor solchen "Wilden".CITY OF GOD zeigt Geschehnisse, bei denen wir doch sosteril wie möglich bitte aussen vor bleiben wollen. Normal.Die Kamera gleicht hier einem Revolver- der Zuschauer istdie Patrone, die ständig mitten ins Bild gefeuert wird.Atemraubend, sage ich bloss,- Mitgefühl und Staunen überdie Laiendarsteller, die dieses erbarmungslose Leben wohlam besten und wie kein anderer erzählen können.CITY OF GOD basiert auf wahren Begebenheiten. Und das istnoch eine Stufe höher auf der Leiter der realen Fassungslosigkeit.-------------------------------------------------------------Story:Cidade de Deus- Stadt Gottes- ein sicher zynischer Name für soeinen trostlosen Ort wie diesen. Wer hier aufwächst, entscheidetsich meist für eine Karriere als Gangster.Auch Buscape und Dadinho, genannt Löckchen, wollen etwas aus ihremLeben machen.......................Während Löckchen sich zu Locke entwickelt, und sich mit grössterBrutalität den Weg zur Alleinherrschaft freischießt, macht BuscapeFotos von Strandschönheiten.Der Film CITY OF GOD folgt ihren Wegen durch eine Reihe kurzer Geschichten-die von Gewalt und der gefährlichen Welt der Drogen geprägt sind._______________________________________________________________Fazit:Schon zu Beginn des Films wird klar: Auf wen die bis an dieZähne bewaffneten Jugendlichen es abgesehen haben, der wirdohne Gnade gejagt. Und wenn es nur ein Huhn ist.CITY OF GOD ist hartes Kino aus Brasilien.Eine Gewaltspirale ohne absehbares Ende. Schockierend, aufrüttelnd.Außergewöhnlich und durchweg spannend. Und macht fassungslos.Die Favelas, die Elendsquartiere von Rio, sind wirklich kein schöner Ort.*Die in schwarz- weiß gehaltene Doku am Ende des Films, in dem Mane im Gefängnisinterviewt wird, ist authentisch und zeigt den echten Mane.*In 128 Minuten erzählt Regisseur Fernando Meirelles mitvirtuosen Schnittfolgen die Geschichte von Armut und Drogen.Von Ehrgeiz und Gewalt aus der Perspektive derer, die sie täglich erleben.FÜNF Sterne, bewaffnete und lautstarke!Für diesen klasse Film.Was anderorts Bandenspiele sind, ist hier Bandenkrieg.In CITY OF GOD bricht der Krieg aus.Ein brillianter Film!

Seriously. Check out the reviews here on Amazon, IMDB (top 20), or wherever they sell this film. That's a masterpiece. And what they show in the movie is real. I showed the movie to a Canadian friend, he did not believe in all those kids with guns. But it happens in Brazil. I know several cases of kids with guns doing murdering and robbery. I used to play tennis in a public court in Recife, where a guy was shot by a kid who tried to grab his stuff. The guy run after the kid, and the guy was shot! If I were that guy, I would do the same. Luckily, I'm still alive. That's sad, but that's the reality! But if you're visiting Brazil, don't worry, that's a nice place, seriously. Just avoid close contact with our kids on the street (ok... that's a joke!)