Cidade de Deus (City of God) (2003)
96%RT Audience Score: 97%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 4 Oscars
74 wins & 50 nominations total
City of God offers a shocking and disturbing — but always compelling — look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.
If you’re looking for a movie that’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, City of God ain’t it. But if you’re up for a wild ride through the gritty slums of Rio de Janeiro, then buckle up, baby! This flick is gonna take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Sure, it’s shocking and disturbing at times, but that’s what makes it so damn compelling. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, wondering what crazy shenanigans these characters are gonna get up to next. And let me tell you, they don’t disappoint.
The cinematography is top-notch, too. You’ll feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action, dodging bullets and running from the cops. It’s like a virtual reality experience, but without the annoying headset.
So if you’re in the mood for a movie that’ll make you think, make you feel, and make you want to book a one-way ticket to Brazil, then City of God is the flick for you. Just don’t forget to bring a box of tissues and a strong stomach. You’re gonna need ’em.
Production Company(ies)
O2 Filmes, Video Filmes, Globo Filmes,
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, drug content and language
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 11m
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Language(s):Portuguese
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 8, 2004
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Jonathan Haagensen, Matheus Nachtergaele, directed by Fernando Meirelles, written by Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anupama Chopra, J.R Jones, Nell Minow, David Rooney, Geoff Andrew, Jeff Strickler, Fico Cangiano, Matt Brunson, Sarah Brinks, Mike Massie, Allen Almachar, Matt Neal, R rating, Miramax Films, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Mauricio Andrade Ramos, Portuguese (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro, favelas, drug-related violence, photographer, drug dealer, turf war, poverty-stricken, gang violence, based on true stories, chronicle of disparate gangs, harrowing, shocking, bloodletting violence, frenetic filmmaking, Tarantino, Scorsese, environment, authenticity, coming-of-age film, powerful message, gun violence, gang violence in Brazil, 1970s
Worldwide gross: $30,680,793
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $48,398,534
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,346
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,277,921
US/Canada gross: $7,564,459
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,932,831
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,562
US/Canada opening weekend: $88,292
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $139,279
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,814
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): R$3,300,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Leandro Firmino – Zé Pequeno – Li’l Zé
Phellipe Haagensen – Benê – Benny
Douglas Silva – Dadinho – Li’l Dice
Jonathan Haagensen – Cabeleira – Shaggy
Matheus Nachtergaele – Sandro Cenoura – Carrot
Director(s)
Fernando Meirelles
Writer(s)
Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
Producer(s)
Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Mauricio Andrade Ramos
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 4 Oscars
74 wins & 50 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (163) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (148) | Rotten (15)
What makes City of God so breathtaking is director Fernando Meirelles’ passion for these people – he gives us the color, the music and the humor…
December 30, 2019
Anupama Chopra
Film Companion
TOP CRITIC
I came away from this film impressed by its narrative control but unmoved by anything it had to say.
November 8, 2011
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Powerful, but only for 17 and up.
December 22, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
City of God delivers a bruising, visceral experience of the vicious spiral of violence that draws kids into a life of crime, brutality and murder as the only avenue open to them.
June 17, 2009
David Rooney
Variety
TOP CRITIC
The performances, many from non-pros, are terrific.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Difficult to watch but hard to look away from.
May 19, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
A cold, hard look at reality from a specific moment in time, specific place in the world and specific point-of-view. A brilliant film that shines in every department. [Full review in Spanish]
November 26, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Fico Cangiano
CineXpress Podcast
This Brazilian import is a dazzling achievement that marked Fernando Meirelles as a world-class filmmaker (his subsequent credit would be The Constant Gardener, the best film of 2005).
October 11, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Sometime I find it hard to judge performances in a foreign language but I have to say the performances in City of God are very strong, particularly that of Leandro Firmino as Little Ze.
April 1, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
A powerful, darkly skewed coming-of-age film that peerlessly makes use of its obscure setting and striking authenticity.
September 29, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
A masterpiece of modern filmmaking.
August 13, 2020
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
City Of God is the very definition of cinematic lightning in a bottle.
July 31, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Matt Neal
ABC Radio (Australia)…
Plot
Brazil, 1960s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well…too well. 1970s: Li’l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs…will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Leandro Firmino, who played the ruthless drug dealer Zé Pequeno, was discovered by the filmmakers while playing soccer in a Rio de Janeiro slum.
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