By Chuck Stinson
Everybody has a favorite film, but not everybody has seen “City of God.” A winner of 48 awards internationally, “City of God” is one of the best films you will ever see.
“City of God,” a drama based on a true story, depicts the gang wars that took place in the world’s most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro’s Cidade de Deus, or City of God.
By the 1970s, drug trafficking had become a way of life for people living in the City, and controlling the cocaine market could allow someone to take complete criminal control of the City of God.
Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues, “City of Men”), the protagonist, chooses not to participate in the war, which is as deadly an idea as being on the front line with an automatic weapon. Finding a way out of the City of God proves difficult when all he has been taught is that life only means fearing death – and death is everywhere in the City.
Each character’s identity is rich and interesting. From child soldiers to playboy drug dealers to dirty cops and terrified citizens, you are easily carried away by the character’s struggles. Most of the roles in this film are based on actual people, like Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmino, “City of Men”) and Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge, “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”), the two leaders of the opposing gangs.
It seems these children (few of the film’s characters are older than 20) have no way out. The Brazilian government and the world choose to ignore them.
The true gem of this film lies in the way the story is told. Like “Snatch” (2000), “City of God” is told from one perspective, with the character narrating the story. As confusing as this style of storytelling can be, Directors Fernando Meirelles (“The Constant Gardener”) and KÃ
