One of the most frightening films I have seen. 9/10

Rating: 9/10 (2 October 2003)

I did not know anything about this film apart from it is Brazilian and highly rated before I saw it. After seeing it I was shocked and I am still stunned by the images portrayed.
The line attached to films, 'based on a true story' could mean anything from the whole truth to just the location is correct. I do not have anymore information that allows me to make a decision on the factual content apart from the documentary on the Region 2 DVD called 'News from a Private War'. I highly recommend this documentary at about an hour as it gives an illuminating insight into life in the slums of Rio de Jeneiro and shows that at least one of the scenes in the film is a direct copy from a TV interview of one of the characters in real life.
The film is, superficially, a story of one inhabitants struggle to climb out of the slums and pursue his dream. Scratch the surface and it goes beyond entertainment into a bleak and depressing view of social exclusion. It has challenged me to reassess my life, my past and my future.

The way of life shown in this film and the documentary is inconceivable to anyone born outside of it. The people are shown bereft of hope and dreams, and each has a story of survival. Not survival in any terms I can understand but surviving each and every day, living in the true meaning of an anarchic society where life means nothing to these people, either their own or anyone elses. Where killing is a way of life or even something to do to pass the time. Living in a society that is ignored by social agencies and the only contact with the government is by punishment. I would say that the life portrayed is as close to a living Hell as I could imagine.
However this bleakness is broken by the occasional individual show of love or helpfulness, of shaky friendships and the main character's hope of a way out.
I highly recommend this film as entertainment and as a view of a life I could not even envisage in my worst nightmare, yet is still uplifting.