The New Hampshire

Issue date: 10/6/06 Section: Arts & Living

This week I am recommending a film called City of God. City of God tells the stories of several people, centered in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, known as the City of God. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) is a boy who dreams of being a photographer. We are introduced to Rocket in the first few minutes of this film and he tells us, through a voice over, that to tell this story we need to go back. We are transported back to the 1960's when The City of God was just a housing project and the characters were just young boys. At the center of the story is Li'l Zé (Leandro Firmino) a young boy who wants to rule the COG. We quickly learn that Li'l Zé (Firmino) has a need for power and a thirst for murder. Flash-forward a decade and the COG has transformed into an urban slum filled with crime and drugs. Li'l Zé (Firmino) has evolved into the biggest gang leader and drug dealer in the city. There is a struggle for power of the city between Li'l Zé (Firmino) and a rival gang leader known as Carrot (Matheus Nachtergaele). This struggle turns into an all out war the effects the whole city.

The story of this film is so intricate and large I really cannot explain it well enough without giving you a scene-by-scene summary of what is happening. Just take my word that it is a great story. Normally a film with a story this large and with this many characters fails to manage its time well and feels like it is missing something. However, this film does a perfect job of giving all of the characters enough time and tells their stories in an extremely engaging way. It successfully captures the pain of the city and throughout the film we see the use of drugs and violence perpetuate itself into a never-ending cycle that consumes the city and its people.

Aside from the great story of this film, it is also beautifully shot. Shot on location, this film shows the beauty and cruelty ever present in the city. Every shot reflects the city and it's inhabitants in a way that seems truthful. The visual style of COG is said to have inspired the style of movies like, Man on Fire with Denzel Washington, which has been praised for it's rich visual style. In the first few minutes a simple camera techniques takes us back in time.

COG is based on the book, City of God by Paulo Lins who actually grew up in the city. Most of this film is based on actual experiences he had in the City. Adding to the realism of the film is the actors. A lot of the actors, including Rocket (Rodrigues), had never acted before and were actually from the city. The only negative thing I can think of about this movie is that it is subtitled. I know some people don't want to watch a movie where they have to read but I assure you thee strain on your brain is worth it.

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