Fave films of the century so far - 2003 - City Of God

2003's City of God is a masterpiece and one that introduced me to the wonders of South American cinema. It's exciting, hilarious, face clawingly stressful and in one scene as disturbing as film can get. Take all that good stuff, throw into a blender, dress it with a phenomenal soundtrack and put it together using every cinematic technique you could ever want. The result is a watch that will stay with you forever. In a good way and a bad way.

It's the story of 2 boys (among a cast of dozens) who grew into men in the City Of God, a favela on the outskirts of Rio De Janeiro. Rocket and Lil'Dice. Rocket wanted to grow up and get out. Lil' Dice wanted to grow up and take over. In the City of God life is cheap and the film's opening scene encapsulates it perfectly

When you're penned in on all sides by crime, violence is a way of life and every day is a struggle to survive and somehow Rocket, just like that chicken, makes it through by the skin of his teeth. Lil' Dice, who's grown up to be the murderous Lil' Ze is making life as difficult as possible for him and everyone else who has the misfortune to cross his path. It sounds like a traumatic and brutal watch and there's no denying that it is in places but is also one of the most exhilarating and life affirming films you'll ever see too.

Directors Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund just bring it altogether beautifully. One minute you'll be laughing and the next you'll want to run screaming from the room. By the time it's all over and you've caught your breath you'll want to press play again. It's just something else and it's still without a doubt my favourite film of 2003.

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