City of God (2002)

The directors of the City of God movie Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund were able to create not only the chronological tapestry of events based on a real-life story, but a film which impresses you from the very first seconds and immerses you in the life of Rio de Janeiro. What this film is about? It's about children who should rather enjoy hot Brazilian sun, swim in the sea, play with a ball and make minor mischiefs, without which their childhood is not considered to be complete. But the children chose another way of pastime. Indeed, many people can hardly imagine that under a beautiful shell the worst manifestations of moral fall and social inequality can be hidden.

City of God movie is divided into three parts depicting three decades of the 20th century - the 60th, 70th and 80th years. During this period it is possible to see not just the lifespan of the protagonist Rocket, but the life of the whole city. With its own peculiarities, each time period has different directorial approach. However, there is one thing in common for the whole movie - a sin. 130 minutes will be enough to comprehend all bad traits of mankind - the corruption, theft, sexual assault, violation, drugs, betrayal, and most importantly - cold-blooded murder.

You will find yourself hooked from the very beginning and kept in tension till the close credits. The life of the slums was very good depicted not only by the scenery of the city itself, but also by directing and acting work. Katia Lund and Fernando Meyrellish shot truly a great film, which reveals the emotions that can be sensed over the minutes of screen time. Alexandre Rodrigues (Rocket) and Douglas Silva (Dadinyu) are amazing, probably because of the fact that they have grown in the City of God in their real life and that is why they can easily win the hearts of the viewers by their convincing acting. Other impressive aspects of the film are the editing, lively camera work, thrilling plot and accurately selected music.

Both characters will end off the same way, but one of them will be still loved and remembered, while the other will be killed by cruel, like he was once in his childhood, children for whom human life has no value and who are obsessed with the idea of becoming the masters of the city. Apparently, real life is not that cruel as it was depicted, at least there is always a hope that moral principles will overcome the immorality.

City of God is the film of contrasts with life and death, contempt and respect, love and hatred. It is the place where both the power and the weakness of a man meet, the hesitation between either to become a good person or a villain. What is important to add is that the movie can be recommended to the admirers of good non-American cinema and those who are ready to face tough real life of Rio de Janeiro.