City of God is filled with an explosion of energy as it tells the story of the slum gangs of Rio de Janeiro. I love how the movie shows the slums because it compels viewers not to just see the desperation, poverty and violence of life there, but to enter the horrible world. Ending the film is like a relief and a wrench, making it almost impossible to forget.
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, the film portrays life in the City of God, a favela known by the same name for over three decades.
The film is based on the book of the same name by writer Paulo Lins, which happened to be based on a true story.
The favela is showered in a golden light and children playing football. As the characters Rocket, Lil Zé, and his right hand man Benny become teenagers in the 1970’s the City of God takes on a grey/brown hue. Leaving is like coming from a darkness into light.
When the teenagers finally leave the favela, the director avoids showing you the real beauty of Brazil, but rather he yanks the viewer back into the favela, where you feel you now belong.
The film is an exciting but yet violent experience. It’s different from any other crime movie, it shows things you would never see in American movies.