One of the most incredible films ever shot IMO. I'm surprised that no one has seen this yet.

I saw this about three months ago at the Angelika downtown after reading rave reviews on imdb and I was floored by the realism. At many times throughout the film I felt as if I was watching a documentary. Gripping, in-your-face action that doesn't let up from start to finish.

Has anyone else been to the art house to see this yet?

Brazilian made, independent and will not be released in nationwide theaters. DVD out 6/8/04 but if you have the chance to see it on the big screen then by all means do so.

 

Yeah, this was one brutal movie, and the tragic part is that it's mostly true... there's another Brazilian movie like City of God comin out, forgot the name, but it looks brutal as well...

 

ill be on the look out for this movie

 

This movie was ok. I don't think it was the great modern epic that critics made it out to be. For the amount of violence in the movie there should have been more/better story-telling. Otherwise, it probably would have been better as a documentary. Worth a rent I guess.

 

When you rent the dvd don't forget to watch the documentary in the special features. It has an interview with the former chief of police in Rio. You will be amazed at some of the things he says. One answer went something like that: the only way to keep the peace in Rio so the well-off people would live their life undisturbed a mile a way is to repress the Favelas (slums) residents. I was in Rio and all you have to do is take a walk from the beach less than half a mile and you are in a totally different world. People live in shackles. no road to speak of with drug dealers carrying guns in every corner. You have to make this trip on your own because no guide is crazy enough to take you there, but you can get a guided tour to one of the peaceful favelas.

 

Sheesh, I don't know how a story could be told any better. There's like 50 characters and it manages to develop almost all of them.

 

Wow it's been over a year since i saw this film, but it's great. I will have to check out the dvd so i can see the special features!

 

Just watched the special features last night and they were pretty good.

I'm still shocked at the amount of character development this film pulled off.