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City of God


by Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Bel Berlinck, Daniel Filho, Donald Ranvaud, Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund
Starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Matheus Nachtergaele, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva
Miramax Films

List Price: $19.99
Price: $14.99
You Save: $5.00 (25%)
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Sales Rank: 1172
Release Date: June 08, 2004
Rated:  
Running Time: 130 minutes
Theatrical Release: January 09, 2009
Studio: Miramax Films


FORMATS

  • Anamorphic
  • Color
  • Dolby
  • DVD-Video
  • Subtitled
  • Widescreen
  • NTSC


EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Description
Celebrated with worldwide acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous prestigious awards around the globe! The streets of the world's most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro's "City of God," are a place where combat photographers fear to tread, police rarely go, and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. In the midst of the oppressive crime and violence, a frail and scared young boy will grow up to discover that he can view the harsh realities of his surroundings with a different eye: the eye of an artist. In the face of impossible odds, his brave ambition to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world ... and ultimately his way out!

Amazon.com
Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff Shannon


CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 304 reviews)

4 stars out of 4  
The Bottom Line:

As well-directed and kinetic a movie as you'll ever see, City of God is an amazing experience which only gets better with repeat viewings, but will impress upon one; I can recommend few movies more highly.
December 18, 2008

Thought-propvoking plot. Good acting from non-professional actors = Best movie from Brazil so far  
It has a disturbing and thought-propvoking plot. It shows what life has in store for many kids in one of Rio de Janeiro's ghettos, City of God. They learn to kill, rob, and sell drugs to get rich. Most of them will end up being killed.

The acting look real. The surprising thing is most of them are non-professional actors.

The film is interesting from the beginning till the end. If you like movie dealing with social issues. This is definitely for you. It's the best movie from Brazil so far.


September 20, 2008

Graphic but amazing.  
This film was absolutely amazing. Though parts of it were quite graphic and may not be appropriate for all viewers, the truth it held was incredible. It will really open yours eyes to what goes on this world and what some people might be driven to do to survive. It also shows that not all people who do bad things are really bad people.

I was required to view this for a college course in urban geography (in class) Not only did it truly hold the attention of the entire class of 40 exhausted evening class students, but we talked about it for weeks afterward. I am so glad our instructor opened our eyes to this film. It even prompted me to purchase the book (which is also excellent but much more graphic, even disturbing at times).

That said, however, if you are bothered by violence I do not recommend watching this movie.
August 27, 2008

City of God was Incredible  
I knew nothing of this film before I saw it by chance in a rare Pub open screening, but boy was I glad I got the chance to take a look. I was riveted all night - I completely ignored my friends! I thought it was an awesome re-enactment of a true story - powerful, moving, raw, real - and even funny in parts. I walked away afterwards, beaming. It's rare a great film like this is made, especially these days. I gave it five out of five. Please see it if you can.
August 20, 2008

See it now! Don't wait.  
This movie has been on my Movies to watch list way to long, and I regret that it took so long for me to finnally watch this film. 5 stars no doubt. I'm sure by now you have read about the plot and spoilers so i won't go into that detail. However I will say that this film has AMAZING balance. Drama, action, humor, realism, cinematography, lighting, ect...

It has alot of flashbacks, but they are always clear and labled so you really can't get confused.

I also have to encourage you to watch the documentry in the special features on the dvd. But be ready to be sad.
July 16, 2008


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