City Of God (Cidade De Deus) [DVD] [2003]

It tells the story of Rocket, who just wants to get by in life. He wants to earn money, lose his virginity and become a photographer. He doesn't want to become a hoodlum, which in the city of God is a hard thing to try and avoid. As we watch events unfold, the lives of a group of hoodlums interact and intertwine with each other.

The performances are brilliant, and as I understand it, all were unknowns. Each character is so detailed and humanised, they feel real. When someone is insulted, you feel insulted with them, when someone is put in a questionable situation, you feel the pressure and influences with them.

What is even more memorable is the tragic consequences the events in this film have on its characters. Some scenes are hard to watch - like when one character has to choose between two different children, and kill one of them to become a part of a gang. Others, like the misunderstanding of main hood Lil Ze and his right hand man which has fatal consequences. It's all vital, and hard to pull your eyes off the screen.

It's a Brazilian film, spoken in a foreign tongue, so you will have to read subtitles, but for a serious film watcher that shouldn't be a problem, as this is an essential film to watch.

It all leads to an expected gang land war - how else do these sort of films end, crime doesn't pay! - that is violent, brutal and soul destroying. It's hard to write the words to explain the vast emotions you feel while watching this film, and is thus indispensible.

The DVD comes with a vague, slightly interesting featurette. But most haunting of all is the words that crop up during the credits: Based on real events.

the actors although are hardly known deliver their roles so well that it is hard to think that it's just a film and not actually really happening there in front of you. the honesty of the narration and the fact we see the lives of the characters evolving makes us feel like we could really be living their lives with them. it draws you in like no other film has ever done because you see both sides of the war and can really appreciate yet never fully know the hardship that many people have to face daily. it is almost impossible not have loyalty to the lives of the young hoodlums we are introduced to and love immediately; especially the infamous trio whose smooth talking and childlike innocence in their petty crimes will win you over instantly. A hood never stops theyjust take a break, this film never stops enticing and enthralling you it takes a break. each story is separated by freeze frames alowing you to contemplate on the last and prepare for the next even more brutal scene.

I dont think it's fair to compare it to films such as goodfellas just because it too is spread over a large time period as i feel that Cidade de Deus is like no other. it is one of my favourite films that i've ever seen due to its ruthless honesty in portraying the slums in brazil and because of the simple yet stunning camera work and direction. Its not like other films that try to reflect the lives and harsh reality for people in the world, it really captures the passionate characteristics of the hispanic culture and the soundtrack just adds to this emotive piece of cinema.
The frantic and precarious lives are revealed to us decade by decade whilst throwing in extra shots from the past which suddenly help us to piece together all the events as the storyline evolves.

I don't have one bad thing to say about this film it was electric yet calming, perilous and urgent and altogether absolutely beautiful.