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City of God

R Released Jan 17, 2003 2h 11m Crime Drama List
91% Tomatometer 165 Reviews 97% Audience Score 250,000+ Ratings
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José "Zé" Pequeno (Douglas Silva) is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, "Knockout Ned" (Leandro Firmino da Hora). The film was shot on location in Rio's poorest neighborhoods. Read More Read Less
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City of God

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Critics Consensus

City of God offers a shocking and disturbing -- but always compelling -- look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.

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Critics Reviews

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Anupama Chopra Film Companion What makes City of God so breathtaking is director Fernando Meirelles' passion for these people - he gives us the color, the music and the humor... Dec 30, 2019 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader I came away from this film impressed by its narrative control but unmoved by anything it had to say. Nov 8, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Powerful, but only for 17 and up. Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review Blake Howard One Heat Minute “A gateway drug to world cinema … aesthetically pure… the world was bigger after I watched City of God.” Rated: 4/4 Feb 13, 2023 Full Review Ray Pride Newcity What is the value of human life? And why are we so reckless with the fate of the youth of the world? Rated: 7/10 Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast A cold, hard look at reality from a specific moment in time, specific place in the world and specific point-of-view. A brilliant film that shines in every department. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 26, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mickey R This is a great movie and highly recommended. The story telling is amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/09/24 Full Review João Victor u O filme aborda a realidade das favelas no brasil de forma crua e excepcional. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/24 Full Review Alexandre V Um dos melhores filmes do cinema brasileiro. Envolvente, inovador. A cena da galinha conquistou até Steven Spielberg. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/01/24 Full Review Izael S Um filme que retrata muito bem a realidade nas favelas brasileiras,Mostrando como o crime influência de maneira negativa a população que nela vive. Excepcional!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review Terrance L Everything about this film is A++. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/24 Full Review matthieu r One of the best films I have ever seen. Extremely violent and sad story, but not an apology for violence and keeps a sense of humour and poetry. The cinematography is great. The past of the movie is perfect, very dynamic when needed but still very deep. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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City of God

Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. Fernando Meirelles's CITY OF GOD. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José "Zé" Pequeno (Douglas Silva) is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, "Knockout Ned" (Leandro Firmino da Hora). The film was shot on location in Rio's poorest neighborhoods.
Director
Fernando Meirelles
Producer
Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Mauricio Andrade Ramos
Screenwriter
Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
StudioCanal, Videofilmes, Hank Levine Film, O2 Filmes, Lereby, Lumiere Productions, Globo Filmes, Wild Bunch
Rating
R (Language|Drug Content|Sexuality|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 17, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.6M
Runtime
2h 11m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
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