Synopsis:

Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960's that--in the early 80's--became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The tale tells the stories of many characters whose lives sometimes intersect. However, all is seen through the eyes of a singular narrator: Buscapé, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw but also too smart to be content with underpaid, menial jobs. He grows up in a very violent environment. The odds are all against him. But Buscapé soon discovers that he can see reality differently than others. His redemption is that he's been given an artist's point of view as a keen-eyed photographer. As Buscapé is not the real protagonist of the film--only the narrator--he is not the one who makes the decisions that will determine the sequence of events. Nevertheless, not only his life is attached to what happens in the story, but it is also through Buscapé's perspective of life that one can understand the complicated layers and humanity of a world, apparently condemned to endless violence.

Lisa's Rating: B : I can see why this movie won awards for its look into the gang life in an impoverished Rio de Janeiro neighborhood.  The movie shows how many children become wrapped up in that lifestyle and how one young man finds his way out of it through a career in photography that starts in his own neighborhood.  I didn't find this one to be such a stunner as the awards committees, however.

Angie's Rating: B : Ok, I may not ever watch this again, but I do have to say, for what it was, it was a great movie.  It definitely takes risks and what I mean about that is it is ruthlessly honest.  Their are no apologies or silver lining to it.  It just is.  It was a hard movie for me to watch.  I saw this movie in Brasil when I was visiting a friend back in 2005, so I don't really remember storyline and characters enough to do a analysis on it.  Can't even say I would recommend someone go out and watch it for entertainment value... I guess you'll have to decide for yourself.

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