Piece of history

Rating: 9/10 (29 August 2003)

Not only an excelent film, this film is a wonderful documentary of the last 30 years of brasilian urban life. More specific of the poor neighbourhoods, known as "favela". "Cidade de Deus" is such a "favela", created by the government to create housing without satisfying other basic needs. More than a documentary, this film is action packed. Gangsters, drug dealers, corrupt policeman, well, what more could you want? There are car chases, gunfight, pretty much of everything. Just to topple that, there is a multitude of sub plots, that bring us back and forth in time, and immerse the viewers in the history of this "favela". One feels part of it, and acquainted to all the characters, as they develop through the film. Amazingly enough, or maybe not, it is based on true stories... That can explain the extreme realistic feel we get throughout the film, one can hardly imagine we are looking at actors...