DVD 130 mins
R (Restricted)
City of God
Miramax (1/1/2002)
In Collection
#131

Seen It:
No

Owner:
Ben
Drama
USA  /  English

Alexandre Rodrigues
Leandro Firmino
Matheus Nachtergaele

Director Fernando Meirelles; Kátia Lund

Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff Shannon

Edition Details
Edition Widescreen
Barcode 786936223897
Region Region 1
Release Date 6/8/2004
Packaging Jewel Case
Screen Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - Portugese
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1

Features
Documentary
Personal Details
Purchase Date 9/20/2005
Purchase Price $20.99
Store Best Buy
Condition New (Still Sealed)
Current Value $19.99
Links Amazon US