City of God

Rating: 8/10 (18 October 2017)

City of God (2002) directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund paints an entirely different picture of life in Rio than the welcoming Cristo Redentor may exude. The film explores the dangerous, yet sadly mundane life that the youth live in the slum that the poor live in called the City of God. Rocket, a young photographer trying to separate himself from the violence, narrates the story and captures the daily life of the city through his lens.
The use of several different angles and chaotic scenes allow one to garner a sense of the danger that is present at every second. Li'l Ze, who is around the same age as Rocket, establishes his intentions early on. Guns are the weapon of choice of the "hoods" and very abundant throughout the movie. A low angle shot of Lil Ze holding a revolver with the camera staring into the barrel marks his reign of terror, and the grin on his face relays his sinister personality. As time goes on and the children grow older, Lil Ze expands on his portfolio of illegal activities and Rocket cannot avoid crossing paths with him in the city. Some scenes involving Ze's activities are captured through Rocket's camera, putting the danger right in the room. Crane shots are used to establish the compact corridor layout of the streets, and the tight spaces add to the discomfort of watching the hoods roam through the city as if there were the Minotaur in the maze.
Because much of the film takes place during the 1970s, there is a constant battle between war and peace. Lil Ze best friend Benny takes up the hippie lifestyle, and this change in personality challenges Lil Ze to explore the "human" part in "humanity" for the first time. Are past crimes forgivable? Is there hope for those that have been inserted into this dangerous way of life? The viciousness and cruelty of the plot begs to differ, yet nothing is certain as there are no rules in the City of God.