CITY OF GOD (REVIEW)

STARS: * * * *  (4/4)

This movie surely must be the envy of international cinema. Very rarely does a film produced outside of Hollywood (and in a language that's not English) receive such applause and acclaim, but this film does - and rightly so. It is both visually encapsulating and brutally shocking as well.

"City of God" is a Brazilian made story about a poor settlement on the outskirts of Rio de Janiero, and the early development of drug and gang war-fare spanning the 1960s and 1970s. Director Fernando Meirelles does a fantastic job of capturing the realism of the violent surroundings, creating an authentic feel to the story. The story starts at the end and is told through flashbacks and voice-over narrations by our narrator, a young man named Rocket, whose vocation is different to his surroundings. He wishes to pursue a career in photography, and wants no part of the violent, drug-ridden neighbourhood he lives in. But he sees it everyday: people getting robbed, people getting killed, drug deals. It is appropriate that he should tell the story from an "outsiders" point of view. I compare the narrative style of this movie to that of Goodfellas with voice-over narrations, and a character that, whilst apart of the "gang", doesn't fully conform to the requirements.

Rocket tells the story of the first real hoodlums in the slum (including that of his brother, Goose), and the rise of Lil' Ze, who as a boy tried to participate in the activities but was often ridiculed. Lil' Ze's character is moulded and shaped as a little boy, and it is his desire to get his first kill. He does that, and after satisfying his lust, his destiny is already shaped. Rocket goes on to explain how Lil' Ze gained prominence and took over the drug trade in the area, only to be denied full control by a small contingency lead by Carrot, a rival drug-lord. There is no reasoning with Lil' Ze: he shoots people for fun, and uses violence to get his way. The only weakness we really see in him is when he is at Benny's farewell. His inner emotional desire for human love is shown when he nervously asks a girl to dance, and she rejects him. He's never felt this before. This is the catalyst for turf war spurned by jealously, revenge and pride. But Rocket is there, armed with his camera, to tell this bloody story. The violence and brutality of the gangs is ruthless, and Meirelles doesn't hold back on the camera: he puts it all on the screen for us to see. Many times he switches to hand-held in these scenes, creating a sense of realism, and successfuly portraying the hecticness and disorientation of the characters.

It is so often the case where poor narrative techniques and sloppy editing ruin a film, but despite these risks, Meirelles pieces together this film superbly. The editing is quick and sharp - we see this in the opening quick shots of the streets. Vendors and street sellers preparing food. A chicken watches another chicken getting killed, and tries to make his escape, running down the street whilst being chased. Indeed, this can be seen as a metaphor for the whole movie: that you can try and run, you can try and get away, but there will always be people after you. Benny is an example of this, as is everyone who tries to trun away from the violence that lies in front of them. Another superb sequence is towards the beginning of the film when Rocket narrates the story of The Apartment (Lil Ze's headquarters). The camera stands still and we see the characters and story unfolding before our eyes. The acting in this movie is also impressive, but the standout is Lil' Ze, played by Leandro Firmino. Considering this was his on screen debut, it was a remarkable performance. He fit the role perfectly and gives us an ultimately terrifying, yet deep down, vulnerable character who uses violence as his only salvation. Meirelles also did well by casting natives from the Rio slums, especially the to younger children, creating more authenticity.

"City of God" earned 4 Academy Award nominations, including Best Director to Meirelles, who does an amazing job in his depiction, and is the glue holding this masterpiece together. This film is a triumph as it visually entertains us while telling a brutally shocking story. We as the viewer try to feel hope for the characters, but it is so hard due to their violent circumstances. The characters seem trapped inside a vicious circle, with no real chance of freeing themsleves from the "City of God". As Rocket points out in the beginning: "If you go, they get you. And if you stay, they get you". Indeed we feel this way as the audience. Beware though that this film is not for the feint hearted. You have to pay attention to the narration, especially int he first act. But trust me. It is well worth it in the end.