City of God

"What should have been swift revenge turned into an all out war. The City of God was divided."

2002
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Writer: Bráulio Mantovani (screenplay), Paolo Lins (novel)
Cast: Alexandre Rodrigues, Matheus Nachtergaele, Leandro Firmino

How fortuitous that my DVD player rejected Snatch last night because it lead me to this gem; a trodden upon, blood-stained gem may I add.

In the amidst of youth violence in a São Paola suburb, Cidade de Deus, one child becomes a drug dealer, killing machine and leader of the slum whereas another is an aspiring photographer.

Right from the onset, even if I did wince at the chicken meat preparation, the film is fast-paced, exciting and despite harrowing violence, I couldn't take my eyes off it. It is frighteningly realistic thanks to young talent being scouted from real Rio slums, many of whom improvised the dialogue, and its true nature makes it even more shocking to see young children killing. The good nature of our narrator Rocket, though, makes you compelled to discover his fate.

The film's narrative control is superb, with Rockett taking us through various characters' stories with the use of flashbacks and forwards though the story stays focused and progressive.

Its editing is another highlight with some of the most inventive uses I have seen: sharpening of knifes which start the film and act as a framing device; Li'l Dice growing up to Li'l Z through low-angle shots of him pointing a gun; freeze frames as we are introduced to "the tender trio". Such skills earned the first-time director various Oscar nods including Best Director itself, Editing and Cinematography (the chaos following a gun-shot during Benny's farewell party being a high point) and a BAFTA win for the editing category.

When the credits rolled, I hadn't been rendered that speechless by a film for a while. City of God is a modern masterpiece.

9/10