22. City of God

I watched City of God (2002) in Portuguese. Eu não falo Português, but luckily I was able to read about the film to keep track of the plot. This film was very interesting because it was shot in some of the poorest favelas in Rio de Janeiro, so it gave authentic insight into the lives of the main characters lives we were following. 

Set in the 70s we see the lives of two boys living in the poverty stricken neighbourhoods diverge as “Rocket” becomes an aspiring photographer and “Ze” becomes a determined drug dealer who utilises Rocket’s photography talents to increase his noteriety as a turf war flares up with Ze’s rival.

City of God was  based on a book of the same name written by Paulo Lins and stars Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket and Leandro Firmino as Ze. I scored this film, 69 because of how well the scenes of beauty and love were interwoven with the tragedic facets.

 Not faint hearted, this film is very violent and there are guns brandished consistently throughout. Unfortunately film is a reflection of reality and as a result for some violence is a part of life, so I understood why it was a part of the story.  

Judging Criteria

SCRIPTURAL INTEGRATION - 20 points: 13

STORY/SCREENPLAY - 10 points: 7

DIRECTOR - 10 points: 6

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 10 points: 8

EDITOR - 10 points: 6

PRODUCTION DESIGN - 10 points: 7

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE or SCORE EFFECTIVENESS (if not original) - 10 points: 7

SOUND DESIGN - 10 points:7

ACTING - 10 points: 8

TOTAL SCORE 100 POINTS. : 69