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DVD Description
This gritty TV miniseries was created by the production team behind the critically acclaimed film City of God, and features many of the actors from that film reprising their roles in a format that allows much more scope for character development as they tackle all the issues of life in Rio's slums.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: Portuguese ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: City Of Men (Cidade dos Homens) is a nine-part mini series, based on Fernando Meirelles' modern classic, City Of God (Cidade de Deus), which follows inhabitants of the Rio de Janeiro favelas through their lives.Like its parent film, City Of Men is an exciting mixture of gritty social realism and high-octane action. However, the filmmakers use the mini series format to delve deeper into the characters, and the reality of their situation. This approach was much more realistic than the approach taken by the film, as we see our two main characters, Acerola and Laranjinha, balance dodging bullets with job hunting and, in one memorable episode, trips to the beach. This is also useful from a dramatic standpoint because, like with all good TV shows, we are able to build relationships with these characters, and by the end, they become like old friends. We are with them every step of the way, as they discover girls, get in trouble with the law, experience racism and prejudice... through the good times and the bad, we see Laranjinha and Acerola grow. The acting of the young amateur cast was highly praised in City Of God, and several of the actors reappear in City Of Men, albeit as different characters. Darlan Cunha (Laranjinha) and Douglas Silva (Acerola) feature in most scenes, so it is a relief that they are so natural in front of the camera.The series doesn't have a particular narrative to speak of. Instead, each episode can be viewed as a snapshot of a different aspect of life in the favela (or, as it is called by the locals, 'The Hill'). As a result, the final episode is something of an anti-climax, as life continues, without a big exciting conclusion. However, this is the best way to view City Of Men, to understand that life DOESN'T ...City of Men ( Cidade dos Homens )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much more than a TV spin-off,
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This review is from: City Of Men (TV Series) [DVD] [2004] (DVD)
City of Men is a TV spin-off from the film City of God, but it is not a diluted derivative. City of Men tones down the violence and uses it as a backdrop for some universal themes of adolescence: status, identity, friendship and, of course, sex. It successfully blends these familiar themes with ones of poverty, racism and corruption to create a vivid picture of life in the favella with which we can all identify, even if conditions there are far from our own.Each episode is a self contained story, a densely packed small film, centred around the life of two teenage boys. Some of the episodes are more edgy than others and as the series progresses it seems to soften. But even in the episode 'It Has to be Now', which is principally about teenage love-sickness and frustrated desire, there is a pervasive backdrop of social exclusion, poverty and impending violence. The final episode, 'Hot Spot', hardens right back and is, for TV, violent. The performances are said to be mostly improvised and are utterly convincing. There is a lot of wit throughout the series, always understated, and the humour is all the more effective because of its tragic context. There are occasional scenes of kindness which stand out like an 'Amelie' in a war zone. Visually it's a treat: conventional film gives way to video and Super-8, and there's a lot of hand-held camera, sophisticated colour grading and even animation. I cannot say whether I prefer the TV series to the film, they are too different. City of Men has to be judged as TV and as such, it's one the best things I've seen. I would like to see more, but it may be that if the series is continued it will become a formula. Perhaps the seven episodes we have are enough. They are a gem.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
City of men? Yes please.,
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This review is from: City Of Men (TV Series) [DVD] [2004] (DVD)
With 'City of God' being one of my favourite films, it thought it was only right that i gave this dvd a chance.
I was luckily enough to catch a couple of episodes on BBC4, but never really got the full experience. City of men, as you know by now, is a spin off of the film City of God. Like the film, it keeps its cinematography and style at a constant excellent level. Most people will notice a lot of Actors from City of God being used again in different roles, and i had a lot of fun seeing who i could spot. In this dvd you get the two series of City of men, the first being set around 'Arecola' (City of God's Lil'Dice) and 'Laranjinha'(City of God's steak and chips) younger years, the second series set around their teens. The contrast is brilliant, as the the first season our boys are young and naive, but have the streets smarts they need. The second series, the boys are older and have intrests in girls and become ignorant to laws of the Favalas. For me the best series is the first, but the second comes close. Either way this dvd is recommended for anyone who loved City of God.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Own Item,
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This review is from: City Of Men (TV Series) [DVD] [2004] (DVD)
5 Stars is not enough, if you liked City of God you will love this DVD. The stories are great and with keep you hooked, lots of humour, and amazing acting. A must own item.
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