I saw this movie while in Rio and am looking forward to it being released here in the states on the 17Jan so I can catch it with the English subtitles. Even yet I was still able to be able to be transfixed by it's telling of the life and violence in the favela ironically called City Of God which I believe is in Jacarepegua(sp?). It is definitely worth it to see but it does have a lot of wicked violence.

Please do yourself a favor and see this movie. The cinematography is superb and it is based on a true story. The narration and camera angles make this a documentary-style movie. At some points in the movie you will think it is an actual documentary. The segment entitled "Bennies Revenge" is one of the most poignant and breataking 15 minutes in film history. I want to go see it again. Many critics have said it is a crime that this film was not nominated for an Acamdemy Award under best Foreign Film...the Academy is high once again...remember they failed to recognize Hoop Dreams. Bowling for Columbine will be release on video soon and I am rooting for it at the Oscars for best documentary.

I liked this movie too. If I have one criticism it is that there were too many close angle fast cuts. The technique is effective to convey action, but I thought it was used so much that I was getting dizzy. Otherwise, great movie. I saw it in Canada with the subtitles, but I speak Portuguese. Unfortunately, if you have to follow the subtitles you do lose a lot of the flavour of the dialogue.

I saw this film in Rio in November, and to be honest I was horrified. My Portugese is only so so but you can not escape the film's impact. I agree that the cinematography is outstanding. But man, this was one of the most violent flicks I have ever seen. It really opens your eyes to another side of Rio that is very real to many of the garotas, and of which we are totally ignorant.

BT

I just finished watching this movie, as well as the "News from a Personal War" documentary that's on the DVD. Damn. There's a war going on down there between the drug gangs in the slums (favelas) and the police (and sometimes between the different favelas), and you never hear about it.

PS - Even if you've seen the movie, I recommend getting the DVD to watch the documentary. It's almost an extra hour - they talk to the police, the dealers, favela residents, guys in prison. The us vs them mentality is amazing. And even the police chief flat out says the cops are crooked, and there to repress the (slum) population, to protect the upper and middle class.

Phoenixguy:
I agree with you accept the "you never hear about it" part. Certainly if you spend much time in Rio, and don't spend it all in the termas, you hear about it alot. For example, the last time I was in Rio, there was a shoot-out between the police and some of the leaders in one or more of the favelas, and the roads surrounding some of the favelas (like the one right across the street from the Sheraton Towers) had a huge police presence military style. Also, there are days when the drug lords have managed to shut the whole city down, forcing shop owners to close their shops, etc. This is serious stuff, as you note.

I want to get Bus 174, its a true story based on an armed hijacking of a bus in Rio during 2000.