City Of God (Cidade De Deus) [DVD] [2003]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like cinematic dynamite, ICity of God/I lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular Ifavela/I is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year time frame, into cut-throat killers, drug lords and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a non-professional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that ICity of God/I prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --IJeff Shannon/I

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-05-19 rating:
Good film
I thought it was an excellent film, a good part of my collection and something I would definately watch again. br / br /Although, after many people telling me I must watch this, maybe my expectations were too high, I did not think this film was amazing as others seem to believe. I would though, recommend this film to anyone who enjoys films. br / br /It has a theme of love and violence. It depicts the harsh slums of Rio and the tale of a young, innocent boy trying to survive in this ghetto. br / br /Wtahc this film. But be prepared for 2 hours of subtitles.

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review by: The Duke date: 2009-05-17 rating:
Stunning
An astonishingly good movie. We were blown away by the drama and characters it portrays. The sign of a good foriegn movie shows when the subtitles don't bother you at all. One of the better gangland movies i've seen for some time. I rate it up there with the likes of American Gangster and although it's very different, both are based on true stories and this was often in the back of my mind throughout, and hence quite a moving film at times. A must see....Enjoy

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review by: Speedy G date: 2008-08-01 rating:
City Of God (Cidade De Deus) [2003]
I thought it's potrayal of the slums in Rio was excellent. You could really feel the pain and suffering through each character, from the begining to the end, false dawns and the main character somehow coming through it all to realise his dream. Some good perfomances in there. A really good watch.

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review by: date: 2008-07-20 rating:
The best film I have ever seen
Firstly I'd like to say I'd never heard of this film before I saw it. br / br /I actually stumbled on it whilst flicking through channels on the TV. After about 5 minutes I was totally hooked. It is the most amazing film I have ever seen and I was left wanting more. br / br /I won't write loads about the film as that has been done, all I'd say is go and see this film, buy it, borrow whatever. br / br /Hollywood should take note, this is how you make a film.


review by: date: 2008-06-23 rating:
Planning a trip to Brazil?
I would love to give this film five stars because I watched it all the way through and came out the other end with something. My reason for four stars is simply that it is one of the most depressing, violent, and graphic movies I have ever seen. I almost turned it off several times, so gratituous did the violence seem, but, deciding to stick it out, found it to be a remarkable film. I'm saying this because there are bound to be those who will not be able to watch this without knowing that the ending is fantastic. If you think you know the world, you don't. If you think you've seen poverty and evil, you haven't. If you think your life is bad, it isn't. How there could be any "hell" as this on earth is almost impossible to imagine. The ghetto's of Rio are truly worse than anything one can believe and the fact that the enormous amount of children are perpetuating the violence is even more bizarre. This is sort of a "Lord of the Flies" times 1,000 and the entire film can be seen as a metaphor for the world I suppose. The acting and directing are perfect, but beware: if you're not one to look at violence and senseless killing, this is not a movie for you. While my review may not want to make you rush out and see this, you should. This is a movie you should know. You might not love it, but you should know it exists.

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