Cidade de Deus (City of God)

2003

Cidade de Deus (City of God)

Critics Consensus

A shocking and disturbing, but always compelling look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.

91%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 160

97%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 252,013
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Movie Info

Fernando Meirelles' City of God is a sweeping tale of how crime affects the poor population of Rio de Janeiro. Though the narrative skips around in time, the main focus is on Cabeleira who formed a gang called the Tender Trio. He and his best friend, Bené (Phelipe Haagensen), become crime lords over the course of a decade. When Bené is killed before he can retire, Lil' Zé attempts to take out his arch enemy, Sandro Cenoura (Matheus Nachtergaele). But Sandro and a young gangster named Mane form an alliance and begin a gang war with Lil' Zé. Amateur photographer Buscape (Alexandre Rodrigues) takes pictures of the brutal crime war, making their story famous. City of God was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Cast

Alexandre Rodrigues
as Rocket
Leandro Firmino da Hora
as Lil' Ze
Matheus Nachtergaele
as Sandro Cenoura (Carrot)
Phellipe Haagensen
as Bené (Benny)
Douglas Silva
as Lil' Dice
Jonathan Haagensen
as Shaggy
Seu Jorge
as Knockout Ned
Alice Braga
as Angélica
Emerson Gomes
as Young Stringy
Edson Oliveirra
as Stringy
Michel de Souza Gomes
as Young Benny
Roberta Rodrigues
as Berenice
Darlan Cunha
as Filé-com-Fritas
Luís Otávio Fernandes
as Young Rocket
Mauricio Marques
as Molonhead
Robson Rocha
as Gelson
Thiago Martins
as Lampiao
Leandra Miranda
as Lucia Maracana
Graziella Moretto
as Marina Cintra
Jefechander Suplino
as Clipper
Renato de Souza
as Goose
Dero Camilo
as Shorty
Karina Falcao
as Shorty's wife
Rubens Sabino
as Blacky
Sabrina Rosa
as Galinha's Girlfriend
Marcos Junqueira (Kikito)
as Otavio
Felipe Silva
as Rafael
Daniel Zettel
as Thiago
Charles Paraventi
as Tio Sam
Luis Carlos Ribeiro Seixas
as Touro
Paulo Cesar
as Tuba
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News & Interviews for Cidade de Deus (City of God)

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Critic Reviews for Cidade de Deus (City of God)

All Critics (160) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (145) | Rotten (15)

View All Critic Reviews (160)

Audience Reviews for Cidade de Deus (City of God)

  • Sep 06, 2016
    As good as everyone says it is. Check this out.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 26, 2015
    City of God isn't only a brilliant film just because of how well it was created, but more of because it delivers an important message to the world.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2015
    If you don't like guns, this movie will be very painful for you. But a compelling glimpse into gang violence in Brazil in the 1970s.
    Letitia L Super Reviewer
  • Dec 13, 2014
    A young boy grows up amid gang violence in Rio. More of a chronicle of disparate gangs than a cohesive plot, City of God is frenetic filmmaking at its finest. Quick camera pans, storylines that stop and start, and bloodletting violence fill this film with the type of energy that is reminiscent of Tarantino and Scorsese. Based on true stories, the film is more about environment than plot, and the feeling is both harrowing and shocking. There's no one central performance that strikes me as remarkable because all of the performances ring with authenticity. Overall, this is one of the finest portraits of gang violence produced outside of America.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
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