Cidade de Deus (City of God) poster & wallpaper
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Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phelipe Haagensen, Seu Jorge ... see more see more... , Jonathan Haagensen , Daniel Zettel , Alice Braga , Douglas Silva , Roberta Rodriguez Silvia , Michel de Souza Gomes , Darlan Cunha , Johnathan Haagensen , Phellipe Haagensen , Leandro Firmino , Seu Jorg , Philippe Haagensen

Fernando Meirelles' City of God is a sweeping tale of how crime affects the poor population of Rio de Janeiro. Though the narrative skips around in time, the main focus is on Cabeleira who formed a ga... read more read more...ng called the Tender Trio. He and his best friend, Bené (Phelipe Haagensen), become crime lords over the course of a decade. When Bené is killed before he can retire, Lil' Zé attempts to take out his arch enemy, Sandro Cenoura (Matheus Nachtergaele). But Sandro and a young gangster named Mane form an alliance and begin a gang war with Lil' Zé. Amateur photographer Buscape (Alexandre Rodrigues) takes pictures of the brutal crime war, making their story famous. City of God was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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97% liked it

216,066 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

156 critics

R, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund

Release Date: January 17, 2003

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DVD Release Date: June 8, 2004

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Stats: 18,978 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (18,978)

  • fb1019018362
    April 5, 2013
    fb1019018362
    I like narrative movie and I was shock that this movie base on true story.A shocking and disturbing, but always compelling look at life in the slum dog of Rio de Janiero.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 24, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    If you run it will get you. If you stay it will eat you.

    Great Film!!! Not only are the characters in City of God absolutely fascinating, and also very endearing, but also convincingly acted by groups of young and unknown actors. The stories are well-told, and at times, funny, a... read morend at others, brutally shocking. The cinematic style of the film gives a nod to Tarantino, with some clever time-jumping, freeze-framing, and texts indicating another chapter of the film. In every sense, a bit of a Brazillian "Pulp Fiction" or "Goodfellas", but with its own unique flavour to it. The City of God is a marvel, and a highly recommended film to watch, but not recommended for the over-sensitive or easily distressed.

    Brazil, 1960's, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well...too well. 1970's: 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. 1980's: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs...will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.
  • garyX
    August 2, 2012
    garyX
    Following the lives of a group of friends and their extended circle growing up in the slums of Rio De Janeiro, this story will strike a chord with the poor and desperate around the world. Honest and hardworking Rocket slaves away for a pittance while watching brutal hoods take ev... read moreerything they want without conscience with the authorities caring little for this unwanted underclass so the ruthless run free to perpetuate an endless cycle of violence when desperation gives way to greed. This film is a stunning experience as you watch children play cops and robbers with real guns as only the most coldblooded and heartless survive; the cinematography is truly gorgeous, almost too much so considering the subject matter. The performances are also totally convincing all round, even to the smallest child. Direction is similarly flawless, brilliantly revisiting characters and plot points at strategic intervals and masterfully recreating a sense of time passing and the evolution of this criminal "dynasty", only for it to be shockingly ended by the next generation. Add to this the fact that this story is actually true and you have a film of incredible resonance. One of the best crime stories you will ever see.
  • fb634552688
    September 14, 2011
    fb634552688
    Disturbing does not come close to describing some of the scenes in this film, but what's even more disturbing is the fact that many of those scenes happen every day in some places.
  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    City Of God accounts a photojournalist's first-hand true story narrative on the roots and cycle of crime and violence and the ironic cruelties of life set Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Shocking, disturbing, and devastating epic, yet powerful and compelling. A staggering masterpiece.
  • rjayhutchinson
    July 31, 2011
    rjayhutchinson
    A compelling account of a 1970s gang war in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, "City of God" manages to not only entertain the audience as we might be entertained during any violent inner-city story, but it also manages to set aside time to explore its main characters, creating a Lord-... read moreof-the-Flies-esque view of the sort of behavior to which we might resort under an anarchistic setting. This film is often found on all-time-best-movies lists, and for good reason. There are so few films as well-made and compelling as this.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    Raw movie filled with greed and struggle, keeping you gripped throughout.
  • shauna1354
    January 30, 2011
    shauna1354
    Magnificent, powerful and totally compelling.

    I felt transported into the City of God whilst watching this film, the director really makes you feel every inch of the film and care for and despise some of the characters.

    It's a solid yet exciting film with faultless p... read moreerformances. Leandro Firmino was especially excellent as Li'l Zé, I don't think I've ever hated a character as much.

    This film is wonderfully crafted with beautiful cinematography that takes you on an exhilirating and brutal journey into the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Probably one of the best foreign films I have seen, it stays with you. See this movie.
  • paulkoh110
    January 15, 2011
    paulkoh110
    I dont always watch foreign films but City of God is sooooo good! The story was beautiful, the editing was spot on, and the dialogue was intense. Showing the rough lifestyle of people in Rio de Janiero, Rocket attempts to become a photographer while exiting the city of god and it... read mores violence.
  • jamers2011
    October 2, 2010
    jamers2011
    One of the closest things to a perfect film I have ever seen. Brilliant doesn't quite describe how brilliant this film is. Excellent in every way! One of my favorites and one of the best. You absolutely must see this.

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Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
November 8, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

I came away from this film impressed by its narrative control but unmoved by anything it had to say. Full Review

David Rooney
June 17, 2009
David Rooney, Variety

City of God delivers a bruising, visceral experience of the vicious spiral of violence that draws kids into a life of crime, brutality and murder as the only avenue open to them. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

The performances, many from non-pros, are terrific. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
May 19, 2004
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Difficult to watch but hard to look away from. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
March 11, 2004
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The living conditions it projects are as horrendous as I had feared, but the movie is surprisingly easy to take as a rollicking homicidal entertainment. Full Review

Roger Moore
March 20, 2003
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Hard to watch but even harder to tear your eyes away from.

Terry Lawson
March 14, 2003
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Meirelles takes us to a real-life deathtrap and then proceeds to make us feel twice as alive for the time we spend there.

Joe Baltake
March 7, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It rings with the kind of truths we'd rather evade. Full Review

Eric Harrison
March 7, 2003
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

An incredibly assured, compelling and often sardonically funny piece of filmmaking. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
March 7, 2003
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Rivets attention and rattles the conscience.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • BuscapĂ© (Rocket): What should have been swift revenge turned into an all out war. The City of God was divided. You couldn't go from one section the other, not even to visit a relative. The cops considered anyone living in the slum a hoodlum. People got used to living in Vietnam, and more and more volunteers signed up to die.
    • BuscapĂ© (Rocket): The sun is for everyone, the beach is for those who deserve it.
    • Buscapé (Rocket): It was like a message from God: "Honesty doesn't pay, sucker."
    • Zé Pequeno (Lil' Zé): Where do you want to take the shot? In the hand or in the foot?
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  • Based on a true story.
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Cidade de Deus (City of God) Trivia

  • It translates into 'Cidade de Deus', but what is the English title of this 2001 smash hit directed by Fernando Meirelles?  Answer »
  • What movie includes characters named Carrot, Goose, Steak and Fries, Melonhead, Stringy, Clipper, Rocket, Li'l Dice, Shaggy, Blacky, Shorty, and Knockout Ned?  Answer »
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