Brazil10 Essential Brazilian FilmsStop 1 of 10

City of God

Cidade de Deus

2002 · 129 min · Drama

Over two decades in a violent Rio de Janeiro favela, a sensitive young man dreams of becoming a photographer while a childhood acquaintance rises to rule the drug trade. Fernando Meirelles's electrifying, kaleidoscopic epic of crime and survival.

Why it’s here

A Portuguese-language Brazilian crime drama and one of the most globally visible modern Brazilian films.

Runtime

129 min

Genre

Drama · Crime

Mood

tense · thoughtful · dreamlike

Entry

easy entry

Best for

first visit

Content notes: war or political violence · violence or threat · substance use Non-exhaustive