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City of God

Play trailer Poster for City of God R Released Jan 17, 2003 2h 11m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 165 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José "Zé" Pequeno (Douglas Silva) is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, "Knockout Ned" (Leandro Firmino da Hora). The film was shot on location in Rio's poorest neighborhoods.
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City of God

City of God

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Critics Consensus

City of God offers a shocking and disturbing -- but always compelling -- look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.

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Critics Reviews

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Anupama Chopra Film Companion What makes City of God so breathtaking is director Fernando Meirelles' passion for these people - he gives us the color, the music and the humor... Dec 30, 2019 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader I came away from this film impressed by its narrative control but unmoved by anything it had to say. Nov 8, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Powerful, but only for 17 and up. Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review Paul Emmanuel Enicola Movie-Blogger.com A stark depiction of life outside the city: terrifying, unsettling, but never losing the sense of comedy. Rated: 5/5 Aug 24, 2024 Full Review Blake Howard One Heat Minute “A gateway drug to world cinema … aesthetically pure… the world was bigger after I watched City of God.” Rated: 4/4 Feb 13, 2023 Full Review Ray Pride Newcity What is the value of human life? And why are we so reckless with the fate of the youth of the world? Rated: 7/10 Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lúcio Leonardo P Entertainment that is a Brazilian cinematic “treasure,” showing the drama (and incredible “normality”) of those who live in the communities of Rio de Janeiro with all the brutality of the criminals who rule there, whether they are criminals or police officers, using the action to narrate all the temptations (and consequences) that crime can offer to the less fortunate. A cinema lesson from São Paulo filmmakers Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund for the genre that is not “lucky” in Brazil, whether due to investment or script/direction. A well-delivered “slap in the face” to the society that insists on not demanding improvements from its politicians in communities like Cidade de Deus… Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Audience Member Esse filme mostra verdades que sempre ficaram debaixo do tapete uma obra impressionante e com uma ótima profundidade nesses assuntos. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/02/25 Full Review Jay W Getting this out of the way at the beginning, there are some scenes in this film that are flat out hard to watch. They are showing mankind at their absolute worst and making the audience stare at it. It is unpleasant, it is the reality we all do our best to pretend it doesn't happen. They are important scenes, and powerful scenes that I won't forget despite how hard I may try. Let us move past those scenes and talk about the scenes I loved. It is the small moments of levity, finding humor in the darkness where this movie really shines. Despite its clear darkness, I end up thinking more about the positives. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/29/25 Full Review Benjamin H An immensely powerful and gut wrenching look at crime and growing up in an environment wreathed by poverty, City of God is a masterclass in detailed storytelling and immersive character development which makes it an essential foreign film to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/21/25 Full Review Blu B All Time Classic. The weakest part is the soundtrack which is really god but not that catchy or memorable on it's own. Everything else though is masterful. We weave perfectly between Rocket & Ze who is one of the greatest villians I've ever seen. Truly despicable, disturbing, and you never know what is going to happen when he is on screen. This has so much commentary on the cycle of urban violence, poverty, and really immerses you in the world of crime. This makes even the most brutal 70's films wimper a bit with how unflinchingly violent and brutal some of the scenes in this are. This isn't for everyone despite how good it is. You need a strong stomach a bit. The best way I can describe this is it's a mixture of a Bronx's Tale, 70's style urban asetics, and Goodfellas combined in the setting of Rio. If you can stomach it defintely give this a watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/25 Full Review Weslley S Filme incrível, principalmente na narrativa e visualmente, muito injustiçado nas premiações que não recebeu! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews
City of God

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José "Zé" Pequeno (Douglas Silva) is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, "Knockout Ned" (Leandro Firmino da Hora). The film was shot on location in Rio's poorest neighborhoods.
Director
Fernando Meirelles
Producer
Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Maurício Andrade Ramos
Screenwriter
Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
O2 Filmes, Lumiere Productions, Lereby, Globo Filmes, Hank Levine Film, StudioCanal, VideoFilmes, Wild Bunch
Rating
R (Language|Drug Content|Sexuality|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 17, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.6M
Runtime
2h 11m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
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