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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
Format: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
Format: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.
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.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Sorry if this is a terrible short review, this is a bad release as it doesn't contain all four series. If you want the complete TV Series then get the 3 Disc American release from Palm Pictures/Umd as that has all four series where as this is only the first 2.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A gritty, enthralling TV series
I was lent this DVD by my friend who recommended it highly. Neither of us had seen City of God or knew much about the TV series that followed, my friend had picked it up by happy... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jennifer Malsingh
Essential viewing
This really is fantastic tv viewing. The characters are likeable, the setting is vibrant and engrossing. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2010 by P. King
City of Men
We enjoyed it. We believe it showed what life was like for the people but mostly it gave a heartfelt and true account of the chidrens' lives. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by Mrs. Lorna A. Hooper
A fascinating journey from boys to men!
Like other reviewers, having seen City of God I was very interested to see how this series would be. Read more
Published on 21 April 2006 by Earth Rambler
Compelling continuation
City of God was such an extraordinary film, while the television series which followed did not reach the intensity of the original, the young actors are compelling.
Published on 8 April 2006
City Of Men
irst things first, this series is not a continuation of the story of the film City Of God, but covers similiar themes. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2006 by Mr. A. K. Cruickshank
City of God
brilliant film absolute must see! so good you forget that it is in subtitles. One of the best films i have ever seen that captures the brazilian drug trade in the slums of Rio. Read more
Published on 18 May 2005 by "movie_buff88"
I dont want it to end!
City of Gods is one of my all-time favourite films, so I had to buy the TV series - City of Men. I wasn't expecting the change of personalities and names of the characters, but I... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2005 by Mumma K
A Must Own Item
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.
Published on 29 Oct 2004 by Mr. Michael Dodd
Brilliant Drama
Just seen the first part on BBC4, catches the realism and poverty of the slums of Rio in the safe way as City of God. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2004 by "andrewjarman4"
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