View Full Version : Cidade de Deus [City of God]
This is my first review on these forums!
NOTE: The film is in Portuguese with English subtitles. There is a scene which involves strobe lighting.
Cidade de Deus [City of God] IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/Title?0317248)
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This is a movie which takes place over two decades in Rio's favelas. Rocket (above, Alexandre Rodrigues) is the narrator through this world of poverty-induced crime, drug-dealing and its associated violence, desperately seeking a way out for himself by attempting to make an honest living.
Scenes may be too violent for some, I found one in particular almost hard to watch, I won't give away any spoilers here though - it would ruin the impact. What makes the violence all the more shocking is its realism and its brutality - Lil' Zé (Leandro Firmino da Hora), kills for kicks and power. To him murder is no less humane than killing a fly.
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The young actors were, I believe, mostly made up of kids from Rio's streets - they were incredible. I did not see one bad performance, and the emotions that the actors displayed transcended my limited knowledge of Portuguese - it's not really possible for me to criticise the standard of delivery of dialogue.
There is evidence of mainstream cinema permeating the lower budget foreign films. The film's style, the presence of a non-linear timeline and some really nice camera tricks will no doubt result in similarities being drawn with Tarantino and Scorcese (especially Goodfellas). However all these nuances suit the story excellently and manage to avoid the trap of banality, enhancing instead of detracting from the storytelling.
This is a thrill ride of a movie but the real tragedy is that the story is rooted in reality. The novel which inspired the film is based on real events - you will see news footage in the closing credits. From what I understand, it is a reality which still exists today.
Highly recommended, easily one of the best films I have seen in the last 12 months.
Thanks for reading! :thumbs:
I went to see this last night and thought it was great too.
It was really funny as the cinema was packed, (overspill from Lord of the Rings etc.) As the first 15 minutes passed about 25 people had walked out, squawking their way down the aisle!! The usual "ne'er-do-wells", mind you!
I agree that the performances of the young actors and the style in which it was filmed was superb. The subject matter, despite being in some places shocking, I would think brought a true picture of favela life in Brazil to the screen.
As liamail mentioned, every thing I'd previously read about "City of God" had mentions of Scorcese and particularly "Goodfellas", I guess mainly due to the narration of the main character, and the grittiness portrayed on screen.
:thumbs: from me too.
At The Gates
03-01-2003, 17:52
I've wanted to see this for ages, is it going out on general release?
Excellent film, some fantastic performances from a cast of non-actors....though was told by cinema that the previous evenings advance screening there had been a big walk out (subtitles etc), though today I did have the whole screen to myself!
Well worth catching! seems to be on at a number of Art House cinemas & quite a few UGC
[sorry for off topic]
sdw,
I'm guessing you were at the same cinema I went to for the advance screening.
It's amazing how lots of people are put off with subtitles, though, having said that they were all "charvers". (local vernacular for ned, scally etc.)
[/sorry for off topic]
That actually happened in the cinema I went to as well, and I'm gussing that neither of you were at that one!
Funnily enough, I had said to my mate just before the film began "I don't think that most of the people in here know what they are about to watch", because I had heard two people in the queue behind me:
A - [Oh no], it's sold out
B - What's City of God?
A - I dunno.
B - Who's in it?
A - No idea.
B - Shall we go for that then?
A - OK.
And also as my mate left to get us some drinks, a couple came into the screen, the woman looked at me:
Woman - Is this City of God?
Me - Yes.
Woman - Who's in it?
Me - Not sure - unknowns really.
Woman - Who?
Me - It's a brazilian film, I think they're all unknown actors.
Woman - Is it any good?
Me - So I've heard. Apparently it's very violent.
Woman (sincerely)- Oh that's good then!
And off she goes with her boyfriend to sit down.
It still surprised me when people started to walk out after a few minutes - there was only about 25-30 people in the cinema to begin with!
Some people have such open minds :D
__________________
Any patronising comments in this post are entirely intentional
Saw this tonight and absolutely loved it! What a great film to start 2003 off with. The acting was awesome especially considering that for most of them it was their debut role.
I loved the way it was structured and narrated. There's no doubt it's not for the faint hearted but I never once felt the violence was over the top or not needed.
I urge everyone to see this film asap!
ed
really want to see this but doubt it'll make a cinema near me.... we only had one showing of Donnie Darko, which I missed!, and Amelie took about six months to appear :rolleyes: I know this is a bit premature but ;) any mention of a dvd yet?
Ghost Dog
06-01-2003, 10:29
Yeah, I realy want to see this too, but it's never gonna be shown round here. Still it should get a DVD release but not for a while.
I really do not understand people who have problems with subtitles though, if people say that to me I just tell them that they should not be ashamed to ask for help and that there are adult education classes where they can improve their reading skill :p .
George vader
06-01-2003, 14:00
***** reviews in both Empire and Total Film,
look's like essential viewing when it's released (17/1/03)
(fingers crossed for a showing at The Watershed, Bristol)
karellen
06-01-2003, 16:21
If anyone is interested, the director of City of God will be on Radio 4's Back Row on Saturday - 5:30pm.
Rincewind
08-01-2003, 12:05
Saw this last night and thought it was excellent. The pseudo-documentary style worked well. Good use of crash cuts and fast edits.
Good structure of the film, I never lost interest for the entire running length (and it's quite long). Thought the acting was okay.
Definitely my favourite film of 2003 so far
Barney_Tabasco
10-01-2003, 12:41
Originally posted by Rincewind
Definitely my favourite film of 2003 so far
How many you seen??? :D
phillymc
10-01-2003, 12:47
I was really looking forward to this , it didnt disappoint, and there were no walk outs in the M'Boro UGC!! Saying that they were issuing Subtitle warnings when you bought your ticket which I thought was preety funny..
:thumbs:
Barney_Tabasco
10-01-2003, 12:53
Yeah, i've seen Subtitle warnings at UGC before. I'm actually getting angry just reading this thread. The world is full of blinkered, small-minded people and it makes me sad :oh-hum:
karellen
10-01-2003, 12:58
I am actually quite glad that the UGC give warnings.
It saves the annoying exodus from the illiterati that usually occurs when the subtitles come up.
johntchance
10-01-2003, 13:00
Truly great film, thought the acting was superb seing as none of them had acted before. I prefered this to Gangs Of New York (though thats a great film as well)
Did I understand this right (about the end):
He doesn't submit the photos of the cops getting bribed, since the repercusions worry him? That's why he is not a famous press photographer at the end?
Great film and a great start to the year!
Barney_Tabasco
10-01-2003, 14:37
Originally posted by karellen
I am actually quite glad that the UGC give warnings.
It saves the annoying exodus from the illiterati that usually occurs when the subtitles come up.
Good point.
Rincewind
10-01-2003, 16:16
Barney Tabasco: Nine so far. I love my UGC card :D
As for the ending, I kind of figured he was just protecting himself, as you say, by not submitting the photographs.
Great film, very Gritty and realistic.
I found the scene where....
The gang make the small kids choose between being shot in the hand or the foot
...quite harrowing, to say the least. All credit to the actors who manage to make their characters so believable throughout.
I read that the director work-shopped the actors through their roles, and wrote the dialogue based on the improvisation provided. I think that's a fairly risky technique to use when working with untrained actors, but it's a decision that seems to have paid off.
ivoryman
13-01-2003, 17:18
Very very gritty film depicting young hoodlums growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Lots of violence, some great editing, and a great pace, not once did i feel bored. As mentioned above in the spoiler one scene in particular had me on the edge of my seat, not really what i was expecting at about 2pm in the day.
If the film 'does' depict real life in Brazil then i feel very sorry for it's citizens, for it's a very tough life where violence/greed/gangs rule the roost, and as already mentioned getting shot is like stubbing your toe.
chillster76
14-01-2003, 00:05
Originally posted by Corrus
I found the scene where....
The gang make the small kids choose between being shot in the hand or the foot
...quite harrowing, to say the least.
That was the toughest scene I've ever watched in my life. Never before have I wanted the projector to seize up or something just to remove the vision of terror on that kid's face.
hatchejd
14-01-2003, 14:32
I havent seen this film, but it sounds remarkably like Pixote (http://www.imdb.com/Title?0082912), a film from 1981 which deals with an extremely similar subject (ie: Brazilian city street kids). That film left an emotional impact, I can still remmember the very powerful images it left today.
Great film! I enjoyed this the same way I enjoyed <I>Gangs of New York</i>. They both deal with a period and location that hasn't been dealt with (that I've seen) before. The place really was hell on earth.Originally posted by chillster76
That was the toughest scene I've ever watched in my life. Never before have I wanted the projector to seize up or something just to remove the vision of terror on that kid's face. I agree that scene was ballsy as hell! Altho' it didn't envoke any sympathy from me. The film had already set up the live by the sword die by the sword way of life. So why waste yourself feeling for the kids?! I found it strangely amusing in an insane kind of way. Kind of like when you're a kid and your 'gangs' does something you know you shouldn't have and the 'big boys' catch you. You <i>know</i> you're gonna get punished for it, plus for your mates that got away! To quote Mr Blonde - if they hadn't of done what I told them not to do they still be alive!
Barney_Tabasco
27-01-2003, 12:19
What a great, great film. Very powerful, very moving and simply electrifying.
It's like the best bits of Goodfellas, Boogie Nights and Gangs of New York.
George vader
27-01-2003, 13:23
Originally posted by George vader
***** reviews in both Empire and Total Film,
look's like essential viewing when it's released (17/1/03)
(fingers crossed for a showing at The Watershed, Bristol)
Went to see it last Wednesday.........sold out all week!!!:(
lesliedocherty
31-01-2003, 23:16
Hi,
got to agree with everyone, one of the best films i have seen this year, funny to see a film that reminds you so much of american cinema.
great characters and you really did feel some of the people, wonderful film, defo one to go see.
leslie
BiscLimpkit
04-02-2003, 01:23
Excellent review Liamail. It's my favourite film of 2003 so far (but then year's only just started).
Will be looking forward to the dvd for sure.
Barry Evil
04-02-2003, 10:21
Great film. It's refreshing to see guns portrayed as the evil things they are rather than as a macho fashion accessories. The film also brilliantly depicted the self-perpetuating insanity of the 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' mentality.
Caught this last night and was blown away (sic) - not so much by the story, which is good, or the characters - who are great, moreso by the film-making. The visual style of the film is fantastic, with some excellent filmed pieces
The bit leading up to the rape of Knocout Ned's girlfriend stood out in particular .
A film well worth watching.
This is up there with my all time great films - I loved it & cant wait for the DVD
--go see it--
:thumbs:
willsteptoe
17-02-2003, 15:32
Originally posted by guvnor
This is up there with my all time great films - I loved it & cant wait for the DVD
--go see it--
:thumbs:
Agree. It's a masterpiece :clap: Shame that it didn't get a wide release :oh-hum:
Originally posted by Corrus
I found the scene where....
The gang make the small kids choose between being shot in the hand or the foot
...quite harrowing, to say the least. All credit to the actors who manage to make their characters so believable throughout.
Well amazingly this did make a cinema near me and I went to see it last night. The scene you mention Corrus I found really unpleasant - the 'acting' was incredible I felt as though I was watching real footage... I also found it very hard to deal with my response... I was virtually praying it wouldn't be the little one :( closest I've come to leaving a cinema in a very long time... and not because I didn't think it a great film..
greebofitz
26-02-2003, 11:17
Saw it last night. Had to drive to a cinema about 30 miles away to see it but it was damn well worth it.
Absolutely stunning film.
Even my friend, who usually makes fun of me for watching films with subtitles and going on about how much better foreign films are than Hollywood, said it was genius. Time to start him watching some more foreign stuff methinks :)
Morpheus2000
10-03-2003, 08:46
I must be the odd one out. Here's my review:
http://www.jimsflicks.com/Reviews/CityofGod.htm
greebofitz
10-03-2003, 12:11
Originally posted by Morpheus2000
I must be the odd one out. Here's my review:
http://www.jimsflicks.com/Reviews/CityofGod.htm
Within the main story there are groups of shorter stories which all affect each other. This is one of the main problems with the film. It’s far too complicated for its own good, with small insignificant stories that have no bearing on the much larger picture. For a film based on a true story it’s poorly constructed and would have worked much better if told through the eyes of Rocket rather than merely second hand information most of the time.
I thought this was one of the great things about the film. It was an interesting way of doing things, i.e. the "main" character isn't really on screen for quite a bit of the film. I didn't find it confusing although I will be needing a second viewing as I do with all foreign films cos sometimes when reading subtitles I accidentally miss bits on screen or miss dialogue etc. It's therefore harder for me to fully grasp everything that's happening first time through.
There are flashbacks within flashbacks that are unnecessary in which the film could have been told in a more linear storyline.
Who want's linear and conventional films all the time? It makes for very boring viewing.
The only character that is really developed is Rocket, which is a bonus towards the end of the film.
I thought most of the characters that needed to be, were developed nicely. For example Lil Ze (it might be considered a minor spoiler so I'll spoiler it just to be safe :)):
To me, Lil Ze just seemed to be the product of selfishness, egoism and peer pressure. The way that he's always wanting more for himself and not caring about others, almost in a poor attempt to impress people. We see that he is inept around members of the opposite sex and that behind the "mean" front, he is not as sure of himself as he puts across.
I do agree that some characters were not fully explored but that just leaves you to draw your own conclusions. I don't think films need to develop every character. It certainly didn't detract from the film for me that some people weren't explored.
Sorry for the disection! My 2 pence on the subjects :)
frantic_mulletboy
13-03-2003, 11:16
went and say it last night :D definitley one of the best films i've seen in a long time.
has anyone heard when its gonna be released on dvd?
willsteptoe
13-03-2003, 14:16
If anyone hasn't seen it yet, it is being shown at Reading university cinema in June (or July). Non-students are welcome. I will be seeing it again, as my finals will be over :clap:
Loads of other totally ace smaller films such as Spider also being shown.
Originally posted by willsteptoe
If anyone hasn't seen it yet, it is being shown at Reading university cinema in June (or July). Non-students are welcome. I will be seeing it again, as my finals will be over :clap:
Loads of other totally ace smaller films such as Spider also being shown.
Nice one, thanks. Not like the Warner is going to show it.
Morpheus2000
15-03-2003, 15:07
Originally posted by greebofitz
Sorry for the disection! My 2 pence on the subjects :)
No need to apologise, just a difference of opinion. City of God didn't do much for me.
Watched this last night after putting it off for so many years. And it was excellent i've seen a few subtitle films so that did not bother me one bit. Thank god for the IMDB top 100 otherwise put have put it off for longer, and seen Sideways on Sunday so that's 2 great films in 2 days. :)
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