Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Cidade de Deus (2002)
Cidade de Deus
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Cidade de Deus (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Cidade de Deus (2002) -- Two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro take different paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer.
Cidade de Deus (2002) -- Two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro take different paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Directors:
Fernando Meirelles
Kátia Lund (co-director)
Writers:
Paulo Lins (novel)
Bráulio Mantovani (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for City of God on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2002 (Russia) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
If you run you're dead...if you stay, you're dead again. Period. more
Plot:
Two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro take different paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 49 wins & 25 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
Katia Lund to Direct Dancing Arabs
 (From MovieWeb. 20 May 2009, 5:53 PM, PDT)

Vacancy 2: The First Cut (DVD Review)
 (From Fangoria. 22 January 2009, 10:11 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Stunning - in every sense of the word more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Alexandre Rodrigues ... Buscapé - Rocket
Leandro Firmino ... Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé (as Leandro Firmino da Hora)
Phellipe Haagensen ... Bené - Benny
Douglas Silva ... Dadinho - Li'l Dice
Jonathan Haagensen ... Cabeleira - Shaggy
Matheus Nachtergaele ... Sandro Cenoura - Carrot
Seu Jorge ... Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned
Jefechander Suplino ... Alicate - Clipper

Alice Braga ... Angélica
Emerson Gomes ... Barbantinho - Stringy
Edson Oliveira ... Barbantinho Adulto - Older Stringy
Michel de Souza ... Bené Criança - Young Benny (as Michel De Souza Gomes)
Roberta Rodrigues ... Berenice - Bernice
Luis Otávio ... Buscapé Criança - Young Rocket
Maurício Marques ... Cabeção - Melonhead
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
City of God (International: English title) (UK)
God's Town (International: English title)
La cité de Dieu (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, drug content and language.
Runtime:
130 min | Canada:135 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Brazil | France
Language:
Portuguese
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Company:
O2 Filmes more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The last shot of the movie, where the little boy loses his slipper and comes back to pick it, was not scripted. The incident really happened during the shooting and director Fernando Meirelles kept the take because it helped to highlight the boy's presence. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When the Tender Trio open the garage to steal the car after the motel robbery, the car drives out before the boys have completely entered the garage. more
Quotes:
Rocket: You need more than guts to be a good gangster, you need ideas. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Levels (2008) more
Soundtrack:
Nem Vem Que Não Tem more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is this movie based on a novel?
The gang of Children that gun down Lil' Ze at the end frequently mention the formation of a "Red" gang. Is there any significance to this?
more
420 out of 456 people found the following comment useful:-
Stunning - in every sense of the word, 18 December 2004
10/10
Author: trelloskilos-1 from United Kingdom

Cidade de Deus seems to have a lot of praise on the IMDb boards, and with good reason too. It simply is, in my opinion, one of the best contemporary films ever made.

Based on true events and characters who live in the overlooked and poverty stricken slums in the shadows of Rio de Janiero, where life expectancy doesn't reach the 30's and drug dealers are kings.

The tale of the City of God, and its myriad of characters is told by Rocket, a young man who struggles to make something of his life, other than to wind up another victim of drugs or gang wars.

Not only are the characters in City of God absolutely fascinating, and also very endearing, but also convincingly acted by groups of young and unknown actors. The stoies are well-told, and at times, funny, and at others, brutally shocking.

The cinematic style of the film gives a nod to Tarantino, with some clever time-jumping, freeze-framing, and texts indicating another chapter of the film. In every sense, a bit of a Brazillian "Pulp Fiction" or "Goodfellas", but with its own unique flavour to it.

The City of God is a marvel, and a highly recommended film to watch, but not recommended for the over-sensitive or easily distressed.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cidade de Deus (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why didn't..... adman856
what are your favorite foreign movies? cesaramoga
Greatest Low Budget Movie of All Time? joydeep3000
i am shocked this isnt in top 5 antinikhil
Greatest Movies of the past decade (1999-2009) abdelchaouch221
Why City of God isn't great chris_topher1992
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Godfather The Departed Scarface L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo Basic Instinct
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb Brazil section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.