“City of God” (Cidade de Deus, 2002) is a powerful and raw crime drama directed by Fernando Meirelles and co-directed by Kátia Lund. The film is based on the 1997 novel by Paulo Lins and offers a gritty, unflinching look at life in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most notorious slums, the City of God, from the 1960s to the 1980s. It tells the story of a group of young people growing up in a neighborhood plagued by drugs, crime, and violence, with the narrative framed through the perspective of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young man who dreams of escaping the chaos around him.
The film begins in the 1960s, with the story told through the eyes of Rocket, a young boy who witnesses the brutal realities of life in the slum, which is controlled by gangs, poverty, and corruption. As a child, Rocket is drawn into the violence that surrounds him. Still, he is also an aspiring photographer, and his dreams of becoming a professional photographer give him hope of escaping his environment. His story unfolds against the escalating gang warfare in the City of God.
At the heart of the film is the rise of two influential figures: Zé Pequeno (Leandro Firmino), a ruthless and power-hungry gangster, and his childhood friend Bené (Phellipe Haagensen), who contrasts Zé Pequeno with his more measured, kind approach to crime. The young Zé Pequeno (played by Douglas Silva as Dadinho) is introduced as a child who, after witnessing and participating in violence, quickly ascends to a position of power within the gang. Zé Pequeno becomes infamous for his cruelty and ambition, ultimately taking over the City of God’s drug trade. His ascent to power forms one of the central arcs of the film, showcasing the cycle of violence and corruption that ensues those trapped in the slum.
As Zé Pequeno’s power grows, the City of God becomes a battleground for control over the drug trade. Rival gangs and drug lords emerge, and Rocket, despite being an innocent bystander to the violence, gets caught up in the chaos. Knockout Ned (Jonathan Haagensen) is one of the key figures, a man seeking revenge against Zé Pequeno for destroying his family, and his personal vendetta further fuels the cycle of violence.
While the film primarily focuses on Rocket’s journey, it also explores the lives of other young people growing up in the City of God, each struggling with the harsh realities of life in the slum. Mané Galinha (Seu Jorge), a charismatic and heroic figure who tries to bring a sense of order to the community, and Angelica (Alice Braga), Rocket’s love interest, are among the other key characters who intersect with Rocket’s story. However, as gang violence escalates and innocence is lost, Rocket finds himself torn between his ambitions and the brutality surrounding him.
The story spans decades, showing how the City of God transforms from a chaotic crime neighborhood to a place dominated by gang warfare. The narrative unfolds through Rocket’s eyes, shifting back and forth in time, weaving a complex tapestry of stories that depict the lives of the people within the slum and the consequences of the rampant drug trade and the violence it breeds. The film also highlights the impact of systemic poverty and neglect, illustrating how the lack of opportunity leads many to resort to crime as a means of survival.
In the film’s harrowing and violent climax, Zé Pequeno’s reign of terror ends, but not without leaving a devastating trail of destruction. Rocket, having narrowly survived the chaos, ultimately achieves his dream of becoming a photographer, but he is forever marked by the horrors he witnessed.
The Other Cinema 