Every pseudo-intellectual who claims to have decent taste in films has been exclaiming “I want to see ‘City of God,’” but sadly, the actual number of people who have taken the initiative to see this stunning film are few. Instead, mediocre fodder such as “Eurotrip,” and “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” end up topping lists of box office grosses. And that is truly a tragedy.
Based on a true story, “Cidade de Deus” tells the story of a young photographer, Buscapé (played with subtle yet touching realism by Alexandre Rodrigues), who narrates the history of the Rio De Janiero slum, Cidade de Deus. Director Fernando Meirelles ingeniously weaves interlocking stories to depict a breathtaking tale of crime, violence, fidelity, family and hope, all based on true events that occurred during the 1960s and ’70s.
“Cidade” encompasses all the traits necessary for an excellent film and and the extraordinary filmmaking has not gone unnoticed. With incredibly effective cinematography and touching music, Meirelles perfectly lavishes his film with powerful details, horrific stories, humorous observations and tragic emotions that are, in the end, simply unforgettable.
