City of Dreams

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2:22

City of Dreams

R

Released Aug 30, 2024

1h 36m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

Inspired by true events, City of Dreams follows Jesús, a young Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he's trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop making fast fashion in downtown Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair, he's forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas. Despite Jesús' hellish existence, he finds solace in Elena, a girl who was similarly betrayed and sold into slavery. When she goes missing and another co-worker Carlitos is severely beaten, Jesús realizes that the only way to save himself and the others is to fight back, even if it costs him his life.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

If the purpose of this movie is to raise awareness but not do anything, mission accomplished.

Rated: 0/4

Sep 2, 2024

Full Review

Carlos Aguilar

Variety

Ramchandani’s baffling screenplay contains the most obvious, stock archetypes of people recurrent in Hollywood’s uninteresting depictions of Latino communities.

Aug 30, 2024

Full Review

Mark Hanson

Slant Magazine

The film resembles less a realistic peek into the modern slavery of immigrants in America as it does grist for the torture porn mill.

Rated: .5/4

Aug 26, 2024

Full Review

Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

Like with its spiritual predecessor in Sound of Freedom, the flaw is not in its highlighting of an incredibly pressing issue, but rather the puerile view it seems to take regarding its nature.

Nov 13, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Never passes the credibility test.

Rated: C

Oct 8, 2024

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

Tackling horrific subject matter, this movie manages to avoid being too cumbersome or preachy, focusing instead on its movements and rhythms and its likable, sympathetic lead character.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 4, 2024

Full Review

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Autumn M

Sometimes we have to stop and take a moment to reevaluate our contribution to certain issues. I feel like after watching this movie I'm going to try and be more conscious about where I buy my clothes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Quentin C

I feel like I have become more knowledgable about child labor trafficking after watching this film. I would definitely suggest this movie to anybody who wants to inform themselves about this issue.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Francisco P

Beautiful filmmaking and an inspiring story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Ayla H

A film like City of Dreams is both haunting and inspiring. It shows us a world that many people are unaware of, while this film is intense, watching Jesus, played by Ari Lopez, push through and find his way out of the sweatshop is inspiring.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Alex M

This film will touch you. It's a great example of what the human spirit can overcome. I enjoyed the film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

Blakely G

A gripping film that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

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Mohit Ramchandani

Director

Ari Lopez

Jesús

Renata Vaca

Helena

Alfredo Castro

El Jefe

Paulina Gaitán

Actor

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City of Dreams: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Inspired by true events, City of Dreams follows Jesús, a young Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he's trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop making fast fashion in downtown Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair, he's forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas. Despite Jesús' hellish existence, he finds solace in Elena, a girl who was similarly betrayed and sold into slavery. When she goes missing and another co-worker Carlitos is severely beaten, Jesús realizes that the only way to save himself and the others is to fight back, even if it costs him his life.

Director: Mohit Ramchandani
Producer: Sean Wolfington, Mohit Ramchandani, Matt Diezel, Jon Graham, Rufus Parker
Screenwriter: Mohit Ramchandani
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: P2 Films, Mogul Productions
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Partial Nudity|Bloody Images|Language|Child Abuse|Some Sexual Material)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2024, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7M
Runtime: 1h 36m

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