I’ll never forget the time a buddy of mine invited me over to his place and said, “you gotta see City of God, it’ll be one of the best movies you’ve ever seen.” When someone says that to you, you take it with a grain of salt. Plus, to add insult to injury this is a movie that’s in subtitles. That just killed me. But I said, “sure, let’s give it a try. Within 2 minutes I was hooked and I can honestly say to this day, it’s still one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Here’s a brief synopsis of the film:
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José “Zé” Pequeno (Leandro Firmino da Hora) 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” (Seu Jorge). The film was shot on location in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods.
I don’t want to ruin anything at all but I’ll say this. Zé is one of the most ruthless characters you’ll ever see in a movie in your entire life, especially in his childhood (if the above photo is any indication). Wow, what an amazing character. Here’s the trailer. Trust me when I say you should be watching this film.
P.S. it’s based on a true story which is even crazier.
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