City of God

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

Luca S J'ai mis du temps à le regarder mais quel film. A voir absolument Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Marlon W Cidade de Deus é uma obra prima irretocável, perfeita e sem erros. O melhor filme já produzido no Brasil 🇧🇷 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review kevin c Pure drama, action, and tragedy. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Anastazja C ,,City of God” is a raw and visually stunning film that delves us into the violent favelas of Rio De Janeiro in the 1970s. This movie is a portrayal of gang warfare, poverty, and the constant struggle for survival, told through the eyes of a boy named Rocket. The film’s brilliance lies in its realism. City of god doesn’t glamorize the brutality. Instead, it exposes the harsh reality and struggle of its characters, many of whom are just children who have to grow up in constant violence and crime. While watching it, we get to explore the city itself, and we can feel like a part of the community. Meirelles’ kinetic style keeps the energy high, mixing fast-paced editing, intimate camera work, and a non-linear narrative structure that heightens the tension and drama. It was shot on 16mm film stock, giving it the feel of a documentary even though it's a crime, drama movie. Everything in that movie is interconnected; it works perfectly together, and without one aspect, it simply wouldn’t. The story is told directly, but we just simply know that there is way more happening there. The movie is a never-ending cycle. After the big collapse of Li’l Dice, Carrot, and the rest of the crime groups, another is being raised. The war is never over; no peace is ever found. The character development is compelling. Rocket, the protagonist, dreams of becoming a well-known photographer and escaping the life of crime that surrounds him. I believe we all want to be like him, an ordinary boy living in the second-biggest city in Brazil. He lives in peace in such a violent place. Rocket is on good terms with everyone there; he has no enemies. Even after his girlfriend chose his friend - Benny, over him, he was still hanging out with the newborn couple. On the other end, Li’l Zé, the terrifying gang leader whose need for power spirals into uncontrollable violence. He kills every single person who disagrees with him, even in a slight way. The contrast between the innocent journalist and the ruthless drug dealer shows the limited choices available in the City of God. The best thing about Rocket is the fact that he gets to escape the favelas. Many other individuals tried to do it, but it's not possible, the city can not be escaped. In the little boy's case, the city chose him to do it. It allowed him to get away from the violence by finding him a job in Rio de Janeiro’s newspaper. Nevertheless, every character is of the same importance. The director's ability to connect the personal with the socio-political is remarkable. It highlights systemic issues such as poverty and corruption, showing how the government traps people in cycles of desperation. What makes City of God truly exceptional is the cast. Most of the actors are nonprofessionals. Many of them grew up in similar circumstances. Their performances are raw and authentic. The most important roles are played by Leonardo Firmino - Li’l Dice/Li’l Zé, Wilson Rodrigues - Rocket, Phellipe Haagensen- Benny, and many more. The movie itself is directed by Fernando Meirellesa and Kátii Lund and is based on a novel written by Paulo Linsa. City of God is based on a true story. In terms of cinematography, César Charlone’s work deserves praise. The vibrant color palette contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the setting, and the way the camera moves through the narrow streets immerses the viewer in the chaotic world of the slums. City of God is a beautifully created film that sheds light on the dark corners of society often ignored by mainstream cinema. It's a human story about survival dreams and the harsh realities of growing up in a world where hope is a scarce commodity. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/19/24 Full Review Fernando B Sorprendentemente nos la puso un profesor en el instituto y me dejó huella cinematográficamente hablando. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/17/24 Full Review ARLAN J É extremamente absurdo como isso aqui envelheceu bem , fui rever o filme pra ficar atualizado sobre a série e cara que experiência fantástica. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Read all reviews

City of God

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now