Short synopsis : Walter Salles presents Fernando Meirelles’ blistering epic of drug-trafficking, gang war, burning ambition and violent retribution in Rio’s most notorious slum. Based on real events, ''City of God'' reveals the dark side of Brazilian street life with an explosive energy.

Long synopsis : Walter Salles presents Fernando Meirelles’ blistering epic of drug-trafficking, gang warfare, burning ambition and violent retribution in Rio’s most notorious slum. Based on real life events, ''City of God'' reveals the dark side of Brazilian street life with a passionate and explosive energy. 1960s - City of God: home to Buscapé, an 8-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a photographer, and Dadinho, also 8. Dadinho takes part in armed robberies for neighbourhood gangster Cabeleira: with Cabeleira’s approval, he commits his first murder. 1970s - Buscapé walks a fine line between petty crime and the straight life. Dadinho already has several killings to his name, and leads a gang ruled through trickery and cold-hearted betrayal. Realising that real power and big money lie with control of the local narcotics trade, he pursues his goal ruthlessly. 1980 - Buscapé finally gets hold of a camera and realises his childhood ambition. Dadinho has also accomplished his dream: at 18, he is the most feared drug dealer in Rio. With his army of young hooligans, Dadinho rules unchallenged, until Mané Galinha swears revenge for the rape of his girlfriend and resolves to kill Dadinho, whatever the cost. War erupts in the favela. But the film is not just the story of Buscapé and Dadinho. The true protagonist is the place itself, and the people who live, struggle, win, lose and die there.

Cast

• Seu Jorge, Matheus Nachtergaele, Alice Braga, Alexandro Rodriguez, Phelipe Haagensen, Leandro Fimimo Da Hora Jonathan Haagensen

Crew

• Director(s): Fernando Meirelles
• Screenplay: Braulio Mantovan
• DP: Cesar Charlone
• Editing: Daniel Rezende
• Original Music: Ed Cortes

• Original Title: CIDADE DE DEUS
• Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Thriller


• Production company: 02 FIMES, STUDIOCANAL, WILD BUNCH, LUMIERE, VIDEOFILMES PRODUCOES ARTISTICAS
• Production date: 2002
• Language: Portuguese
• Duration: 135 min
• Image Ratio: 1.85
• Sound Info: Dolby SRD

• Festival de Cannes 2002 - Out of Competition
  
• Toronto International Film Festival 2002
  Award(s) : Visions Award - Special Citation
• American Film Institute Film Festival 2002
  Award(s) : Audience Award
• Golden Globes 2002 - Nominated
  Award(s) : Best Foreign Feature
• New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2003
  
• BAFTA Awards 2003
  Award(s) : Best Editing
• Guadalajara Film Festival 2003 - Ibero-American Competition
  Award(s) : Audience Award
• British Independent Film Awards 2003
  Award(s) : Best Foreign Independent Film
• Marrakech International Film Festival 2002
  
• San Sebastian Film Festival 2002
  
• Filmfest Hamburg 2002
  
• Jakarta International Film Festival 2002
  
• Ljubljana International Film Festival 2002
  
• Havana Film Festival 2002
  Award(s) : Award of the Havana University, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Cuban Press Association Award, FIPRESCI Prize
• International Film Festival Rotterdam 2003
  
• Hong Kong International Film Festival 2003
  
• Istanbul Film Festival 2003
  
• Singapore International Film Festival 2003
  
• JeonJu International Film Festival 2003