Perhaps one of the most socially conscious films ever made, "City of God," was released in 2002. It is based of the novel "City of God," written by Paulo Lins. The movie was directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund. The film is critically acclaimed, with everyone from the New York Times to Rotten Tomatoes giving it four and a half stars, at the least. The average American moviegoer would not recognize any of the actors and actresses in the movie, given that they have only been in Brazilian films. The two main actors are Leandro Firmino and Alexandre Rodrigues, who are most known for their roles in this film.
The film opens in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. The community is having a get-together, skinning chickens to be cooked and playing music. A chicken manages to escape. Lil Ze, a drug kingpin and gang leader (played by Leandro Firmino), with his gang, chases the chicken down the street. The chicken runs into Rocket, a teenage photographer (played by Alexandre Rodrigues) who Lil Ze orders to pick up and bring to him. Just as this happens, the police come to the other side of the street with their guns raised. Lil Ze’s gang prepare for a shoot off. Rocket, in the middle of all this, is as terrified as anyone who wants to live would be. Rocket begins to reflect on how Lil Ze rose the power and became the most feared gang leader of the area. The rest of the film shows not only the rise of Lil Ze, but the decline of the neighborhood, which Ze rules, via the perception of Rocket.
"City of God" feels like an authentic tour of Rio de Janeiro. The film has no CGI or any special effects. The atmosphere does not try to romanticize the area at all. Rather, it shows the grime and the depravity which inhabits it as well as beauty and hope it has to offer. The dialogue is spoken in Portuguese, which also makes the film feel more natural, given that Portuguese is the spoken language of Brazil.
The film conveys a despondent view of humanity. A quote from the film, which goes, “I smoke, I snort, I’ve killed and robbed. I’m a man,” is a good example of that despondency. This quote can apply to any era in history. Even in today’s society, though we consider ourselves civilized, we have violence as belligerent as what is depicted in this movie. Throughout history, strength has been measured by the people you destroy. Even in today’s society, we see that in various places. People are not satisfied with standing side by side, so they step on each other.
The characters in the film are as multidimensional as their surroundings. Rocket is your typical teenager grappling with his place in society. He is one of the few characters in this movie who are not involved in gang violence, though elements of it impact on him by those around him. This makes his point of view very interesting, because he can see the negative and positive effects of the gangs from the outside. His narration of the story is reminiscent of Robert De Niro character’s narration in "Taxi Driver." Another thing which makes Rocket’s point of view interesting is the fact that it is not unique. He is but one of many bystanders who watch their neighborhood be torn apart, too afraid to save it.
Lil Ze is a completely different character. He fully embraces life as a gangster. In fact, he enjoys having the control that he has and constantly seeks for ways to expand and exercise it. When his power is threatened, he lashes out almost as though he is a child having a tantrum. Lil Ze is a monster. He smiles when he hurts people and ruins lives beyond repair. He treats it as though it is all one big joke that only he has the capacity to appreciate.
We’ve seen the sadistic gang leader so many times that it has become as cliche as a red rose. What makes Lil Ze interesting is that he is a product of his surroundings. He taught from an early age that to be a man means to be powerful and feared. He was molded into the repulsive human being that he has become. Lil Ze is still responsible for his actions, but he is also a product of his surroundings, like the rest of the gangs in the film.
"City of God" is a movie which, if you don't appreciate the message it is conveying, you will still enjoy the art of its storytelling. It is a movie that is meant to be taken seriously and provoke thoughts of society and humanity. If you are someone who is simply looking to be entertained, do not disrespect this movie by watching it. If you are someone who wants to enjoy intelligent material, this is the film for you.
