City of God

City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles, is based on the actual events

that happened in Rio de Janeiro during the 1960s and 1970s, and which

formed the factual background for Paulo Lins’ novel of the same name.

The movie tells the tale of the rise and fall gang leader Li’l Ze, who were

a king of drug during the ‘70s. The violence in City of God is extreme and

shocking, even though there is virtually no blood. Part of the reason hhas

to do with the age of the killers and their victims. Many gang members are

children, and they kill and are killed with the same callousness as adults.

Death is no respecter of age in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. The immediate

goal of a seven-year old homeless boy is not finding a family or a friend,

but finding a gun. When war between Li’l Zé and Knockout Ned is declared,

children are quick to declare their allegiance so they can obtain a weapon

and ggo out to kill.

As a conclusion I want to say, that City of God is a remarkable example

that a good movie can be created without expensive special effects or world

famous actors.