City of God

The movie "City of God," follows a group of children as they grow up in an extremely poor area of Brazil known as the "City of God." This film is told from the perspective of Rocket a young boy who is aspiring to be a photographer.  The group of children the film follows all have dreams of making it rich and getting out of the favela or slum. Many of these individuals find the easiest way possible is through a life of dealing drugs or committing robberies. Rocket tells the story of nearly every character as they experience life growing up in the favela. One of the main characters Ze rises to power as one of the top drug dealers in the favela. By doing this he creates a sense of calmness and protection for the people and community that lives around him. This protection only lasts for a period of time before a rival drug dealer attempts to dethrone Ze. As all of this is happening Rocket is photographing much of the action and lives of his peers. The rival between Ze and the other drug dealer (Ned) ends in a bloodbath where many individuals die. This gang war was photographed by Rocket and ultimately leads to Rocket landing a job in a top newspaper in Brazil.

City of God, a Brazilian masterpiece directed by Fernando Meirelles has been regularly regarded as one of the top 100 films of all time. It has been nominated for over 70 awards winning upwards to 50 of them. Meirelles predominantly used amateur actors for the film many of which were from the slums (city of god) in Brazil that the movie took place in. The film features beautiful camera work that makes each scene its own work of art. Meirelles allowed his viewers to feel as if they are in the favela with the camera angles and unique shot sequences.