Fernando Meirelles‘ CITY OF GOD is a sweeping tale of how crime affects the poor population of Rio de Janeiro. Though the narrative skips around in time, the main focus is on Cabeleira who formed a gang called the Tender Trio. He and his best friend, Bené (Phelipe Haagensen), become crime lords over the course of a decade. When Bené is killed before he can retire, Lil’ Zé attempts to take out his arch enemy, Sandro Cenoura (Matheus Nachtergaele). But Sandro and a young gangster named Mane form an alliance and begin a gang war with Lil’ Zé. Amateur photographer Buscape (Alexandre Rodrigues) takes pictures of the brutal crime war, making their story famous.

CITY OF GOD was first screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and has since grown into a cult-classic; one of the top films of the early naughts.

“A shocking and disturbing, but always compelling look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.” (Rotten Tomatoes)

“CITY OF GOD delivers a bruising, visceral experience of the vicious spiral of violence that draws kids into a life of crime, brutality and murder as the only avenue open to them.” (Variety)

“Another passionate piece of Latin American filmmaking, which documents a tragic period in Rio’s history and highlights the horrors of life in poverty-line communities. Technically a remarkable filmmaking achievement too.” (Film4)

Tuesday, August 28
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm
Advance tickets $10 HERE | $12 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony. (Please note this film is rated 18A.) Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

CITY OF GOD (Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, 2002 / 130 mins / 18A / Portugese with English subs) Cidade de Deus is a shantytown or “favela” that started during the 1960s and became one of Rio de Janeiro’s most dangerous places in the beginning of the 1980s. To tell the story of this place, the movie describes the life of various characters, all seen by the point of view of the narrator, Buscapé. Initially set in the 1970s, the film follows two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, “Knockout Ned”. The film was shot on location in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods.