What can make human beings inhuman to this extent?

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2006)

This is a literally terrific movie. I was drawn as soon as the opening scene started. The barbecue party on the roof in a crowded houses. The scene they edge a knife and open the chickens with sense of exhilaration gives you feeling of a mixed atmosphere of festivity and cruelty of the whole movie. Then a chicken runs away, and the scene the lead character is flanked by a group of gang and the police immediately turns to another scene of 20 years ago. A breathtaking opening.
This movie is based on the story written by a man who is the model of the movie. Though the original story is 550 pages long, the resulting movie looks flawless, with masterful screenplay and camera work. I read that most of casts are not professional actors but chosen from the modeled slum, but it is hard to believe. Take Li'le Ze for example, both in his boy age and youth age, their act of countenance is so impressive. The acting of the boy who is hit his shoe is so vivid that you can hardly watch straight. Anyhow, from the viewpoint of movie making, this is a masterpiece.
This is based on real story, and they say such situation still exists in Rio de Janeiro. Then, what is the society that makes human being inhuman to this extent? Poverty could be one of the background. But, in the countries like the Philippines for example this neat town is not even called a slum. It can be said that guns can change human mind. What happens if a brat has a tool to kill a man with a finger? Then how come such tools are handed to the brats that easily? Well, I can not answer just after seeing a movie, but I can say this movie is not a simple accusation in Brazilian society but food for thought for all people in all countries.