City of God
I hate violence and I hate watching violent films. But for every rule there’s an exception, and if the violence is an accurate portrayal of a real situation, and the film tells an important and hidden story, thenâfor meâit’s justified. City of God (Cidade de Deus) is a violent film, but an important, beautiful and heartbreaking one. The film is based on the true story of a group of kids growing up in a Rio favela, from the perspective of Rocketâthe only one to break out of the cycle of poverty and violence and get out of the favela. Almost all of his contemporaries end up being drawn into drug-dealing, violence and crime.
The film starts and ends with a brilliant sequence; rather than the usual gangster car chase, this is a chicken chase. We see a skinny chicken watching its former companion being prepared for barbecuing with an expression of some dread on its beak1. It manages to free its leg from the string tether and makes a break for freedom, hotly pursued by a horde of equally skinny gun-toting gangster kids.
It’s a funny start, butâwhile there are moments of similar tragi-comedy in the rest of the filmâthe emphasis is on tragedy. We see the people struggling to make a living in the shanty they were dumped in after being made homeless. If they can find a legal job at all, it involves long hours and survival-level wages. Meanwhile, they see the drug dealers and criminals making at least two or three times as much money, and getting respect, nice clothes and gold watches. When you see it like that, there isn’t much of a choice involved.
The problem is, of course, that drugs and guns breed violence, and average life expectancy goes right down. And if you don’t expect to live much beyond your mid-twenties, you’re willing to take almost any risk to increase your status quickly, because there is no future. Two of the most intriguing characters in the film are the friends Lil’ Zé (formerly Lil’ Dice) and Benny. Lil’ Zé is almost psychotic. He wants nothing more than total domination of the favela, and is perfectly willing to coldly kill anyone who he thinks stands in his way. Benny, on the other hand, is a pragmatist. He likes nice clothes and ease that comes with drug dealing, but after he gets a girlfriend he’d rather smoke joints with her than shoot people. He tries to get out too, because he can see what’s happening to Lil’ Zé, but he doesn’t make it.
If you get the film on DVD, it’s really worth watching the documentary on the extras. They have some interviews with the Chief of Police of Rioâan infinitely tired looking man. He is unbelievably honest about the situation between the police and the inhabitants of the favelas. He sees it as totally understandable that kids turn to drug-dealingâwhat other choice do they have? At one point he is explaining the rather brutal methods they have to employ in the favelas, and the interviewer cuts in with a comment, saying “So, you keep control by repression?”. The Chief looks at him as if he’s a bit slow and says “Of course we use repression. How else are we to keep 2 million people living on less than the minimum wage under control? We enforce the status quo.” He has a point, but it’s utterly depressing.
1 I didn’t think this was possible, but it’s great acting from the chicken. Or great anthropomorphism from meâone or the other.
1
Sounds great! It reminds me a little of the book Drown.----- Sounds like a great film. If you're interested in seeing a good story where the violence is a critical part of the story, is based on reality, and has real consequences, I'd have to recommend the HBO series Oz. It's a prison drama that has some of the best storytelling and character building I've seen, though it is exceptionally violent and can be extremely hard to watch. It is not based on a true story, though, so I'm not sure if it would be up your alley, but it sounds very similar, so I thought I'd recommend it. It is a serial show (not episodic), so I'd recommend watching it from the beginning if you do decide to watch it.
by Radagast @ 24/10/2004 7:11 pm • Permalink •
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Coincidentally, I watched City of God last night. Quite an amazing movie. Having just returned from my first trip to Rio, it was particularly interesting.
by Brian Tanaka @ 24/10/2004 9:10 pm • Permalink •
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This got great reviews when it was out and I was a bit miffed I missed it at the cinema. I'd forgotten all about it until now. Thanks for the reminder.
As you say, violence in movies is sometimes necessary, and as long as it's not 'hollywood' violence, I generally don't mind it. Especially when it's an integral part of the story.
by Gordon @ 25/10/2004 10:11 am • Permalink •
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Ever since this movie came out I´ve been thinking about a brasilian movie that was shown on swedish tv. during the 70´s It was the same kind of story (or Scarface kind of thing) and violent (for that time and prudish swedish tv.) but the hero/ anti -hero had a voodoo charm/link that gave him him some sort of doomed protection (but no it wasn`t a supernatural tale) It made a deep impression on me about brazil, it´s desperate poverty and voodoo as a normal part of a culture. Wish I knew it´s name..
by john @ 25/10/2004 4:10 pm • Permalink •
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Radagast: I've heard quite good things about Oz, but I don't think it's really my cup of tea. It's not so much that I enjoy stories where violence is a critical part of the storyâmore that I can tolerate violence if it is a critical part of the story. It's a fine line... Also, the way it is depicted is important to me. I don't like lingering, almost loving shots of the violent acts or their consequences. That seems to me like glorification. Luckily, City of God is shot as if from the viewpoint of someone who has been caught up in the action, but is appalled by it and doesn't want to look at anything too closelyâthat would be my viewpoint, which is why I like that approach, I suppose!
Brian Tanaka: Yes, it is one of those films that stays with you. I image that it's even more impressive if you've been there.
Gordon: Same thing with us: we missed it on cinema release. That's a shame, because I'm sure it would have been even more impressive on the big screen.
john: That sounds interestingâcan you remember the title? Voodoo played a very minor part in this film too; Lil' Dice goes to see a voodoo priest and gets a protective charm and his new name.
by bsag @ 25/10/2004 6:11 pm • Permalink •
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i thought city of god was really good although a bit long. the cinematography was amazing and i'd see it again in a heartbeat.
by girlwonder @ 26/10/2004 2:10 pm • Permalink •
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I think there is something to learn in everything. that doesn't mean that I believe people should try everything just to learn from it. Like violence for instance. It stands as a negative example, sometimes it is the only way to deal with other kinds of violence, sometimes it is the wrong answer to violence. Although I would dare to name violence only those actions meat to hurt and destroy, not the ones meant to protect and preserve good. Evertyhing has a limit.
by Mr.Rehab @ 14/05/2007 9:28 pm • Permalink •
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