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City of God

The 21st Century’s 100 greatest films (BBC)

8.4

126,310

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2 Related Movies

Related Documentary:

City of God - 10 Years Later

Related to:

City of Men (TV Series)

Original title: Cidade de Deus
Year: 2002
Running time: 130 min.
Country: Brazil
Director: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund
Screenwriter: Braulio Mantovani. Novel: Paulo Lins
Music: Antonio Pinto, Ed Cortes
Cinematography: César Charlone
Cast: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Seu Jorge, Jonathan Haagensen, Matheus Nachtergaele, Jefechander Suplino, Alice Braga, Emerson Gomes, Luis Otávio, Babu Santana, Gero Camilo
Producer: O2 Filmes, VideoFilmes, Globo Filmes, Wild Bunch, Lumière, Studiocanal, Hank Levine Film, Lereby Produções
Genre: Drama | Based On A True Story. Teen/coming-of-age. Poverty. Crime. 1960s. 1970s. 1980s. Drugs. Cult Movie. Street Gang
Synopsis: Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960's that--in the early 80's--became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The tale tells the stories of many characters whose lives sometimes intersect. However, all is seen through the eyes of a singular narrator: Busca-Pé, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw but also to smart to be content with underpaid, menial jobs. He grows up in a very violent environment. The odds are all against him. But Busca-Pé soon discovers that he can see reality differently than others. His redemption is that he's been given an artist's point of view as a keen-eyed photographer. As Busca-Pé is not the real protagonist of the film--only the narrator--he is not the one who makes the decisions that will determine the sequence of events. Nevertheless, not only his life is attached to what happens in the story, but it is also through Busca-Pé's perspective of life that one can understand the complicated layers and humanity of a world, apparently condemned to endless violence.

Rankings Position

#1 Best Brazilian Movies of all time
#1 Best Movies of the 21st century
#2 Best Movies Based on a True Story
#7 Best Crime Movies
#17 Best Drama Movies
#23 Best Movies in the history of film

Show 6 rankings

Awards: 2003: 4 Nominations for Oscar: Best Director, Cinematography, Editing, Adapted Screenplay

2002: Golden Globes: Nominated Foreign Language Film

2002: BAFTA Awards: Best Editing.Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

2003: New York Film Critics Circle: Best Foreign Film

2003: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

2003: Toronto Film Festival: Best Foreign Language Picture

Show 5 more awards

2003: Critics' Choice Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

2003: Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Foreign Language Film

2003: Independent Spirit Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film

2003: British Independent Film Awards (BIFA): Best International Independent Film

2002: Havana International Film Festival: Grand Coral - Best Film (ex aequo)

Critics' reviews

"City of God delivers a bruising, visceral experience of the vicious spiral of violence that draws kids into a life of crime, brutality and murder as the only avenue open to them"

David Rooney: Variety
"The violence never feels exploitative; the only thrill you feel is that of being in the hands of a masterful storyteller opening your eyes to a world that you feel truly exists"

Marc Caro: Chicago Tribune
"Meirelles has created one of the most startling, grittily brilliant films in recent years"

Desson Thomson: The Washington Post
"Like a bomb exploding in a fireworks factory: It's fierce and shocking and dazzling and wonderful"

Megan Lehmann: New York Post
"Breathtaking and terrifying (...) a movie that is visually alive and inventive as few films are (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of four)"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"An extraordinary film, but definitely not for the weak of stomach"

Carrie Rickey: Philadelphia Inquirer
"'City of God' finds a surprising amount of tenderness and humor beneath the brutality. The laughs may catch in the throat, but that's only a byproduct of the film's power to leave viewers breathless"

Keith Phipps: AV Club
Show 5 more reviews

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1 My Favorite Movies from Europe & Latin America (318)
2 My Top 20 Movies from the 2000s (519)
3 My Top 10 Movies from 2002 (699)
7 Movies with Skillful Editing (55)
11 My Favorite Dramas (489)
12 My Favorite Cult Classics (295)
18 Movies I Want to Own (151)
18 Little Gems: Little Known Movies I've Discovered (99)
20 My Favorite Movies (5562)
20 Movies I Want to Watch (old releases) (4049)
23 Movies I Own (1469)
51 My Favorite Biopics/Biographical Movies (39)
52 Movies I Like But Wouldn't Recommend to Everyone (39)
59 Movies with Great Screenplays (57)
59 Movies with the Best Beginnings (not including opening credits) (27)
61 Absolute Musts (26)
63 Best Directed Movies (34)
67 Movies with Amazing Cinematography (57)
68 Movies I've Watched during Pandemic (36)
76 Overrated Movies (103)

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