World Cinema Review - Brazil

Today, I decided to add a new feature to my blog... In actuality, this is a resurrection of sorts in that this was a feature from my first blog on Yahoo!360.

As the title of this blog suggests, I am a devotee of world cinema. And although Hollywood has much to offer, over the course of many years now, I have discovered that there is a whole world of films told from differing cultural perspectives that often speak more powerfully to the truth of our common humanity than the highly commercialized stories told by the dominant American cinema.

Although in future posts, I'll often be featuring GLBT themed foreign films. I've found that in many foreign films, even when the main subjects are not GLBT characters, you often take note of the fact that we "are" there, not hidden, not unmentioned, but a real part of the subtext and "part and parcel" of the story. That fact is one of the things that makes world cinema so great in my mind... "We are there."

“CITY of GOD”

Brazil - 2003

Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino Da Hora,
Phillepe Haagensen, Jonathan Hagensen, and Seu Jorge

Among the foreign films I most admire, I want to introduce you to one of the best of the best; “Cidade de Deus” (City of God). As most foreign films do, “City of God” reveals incredible insights on another culture in the world; in this case the crime-ridden slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

There is so much I could say about “City of God:” it reminds me of the American cult classic, “Pulp Fiction” only with an even sharper edge, better characters and acting, and a much more compelling plot. The film, based on a true story, more or less follows the life and times of “Rocket” (played by Alexandre Rodrigues in his film debut). Rocket is a young black man trapped in the squalor of the “City of God,” a horrific slum 15 miles outside of Rio where even the police fear to tread. From an early age, Rocket’s life becomes intertwined with the life of “Li’l Dice” (played by Leandro Firmino Da Hora) who grows up to become an infamous crime lord and the boss of the City of God.

“Li’l Dice”

Along the way, the film is at times a poignant “coming of age” story in which we learn that Rocket desperately wants to escape his violent surroundings while being thwarted at every turn by his frequent chance encounters with Li’l Dice. At the same time, the film is a suspense filled, ultra violent romp through the streets of Rio’s most notorious slum where even little kids are killers and nothing is what it at first seems to be. And, believe it or not, a heartrending love story is beautifully weaved into the multi layered plot. Together the elements of this great film combine to form something truly unique and gripping. This is a film that you can’t take your eyes away from. The film’s two hour and 10 minute running time is longer than most, but you won’t notice it a bit as you’re mesmerized by the intriguing visuals and the fast paced action… As all great films do, you don’t want the story to end; and when it finally does, you’re left thinking, “I wonder what happened to…?”

This film is lush and visually stunning. And like “Pulp Fiction” it’s quite graphic in its depiction of the violence that pervades the story. The story telling is done from many levels and with incredible skill, including one of my favorite techniques; a running narrative by the main protagonist, Rocket. Surprisingly, one of my favorite scenes is at the very beginning of the film when the story is first revealed through the eyes of a live chicken waiting to be butchered; you’ll be as surprised as I was at the effectiveness of this innovative technique. Famed director, Fernando Meirelles does the impossible as he out “Tarentino’s” Quentin Tarentino’s famous directorial style. And as if this film didn’t have enough good things going for it, there is also its fantastic soundtrack featuring the funk, soul, and samba music of some of Brazil’s most famous musicians. The soundtrack also includes some great American “old school” music from the likes of James Brown, Tower of Power, and Carl Douglas.

“Angelica and Benny”

Although Alexandre Rodrigues’ character, “Rocket” is the main protagonist, Phillepe Haagensen, delivers a show-stealing performance as “Benny,” Li’l Dice’s lifelong friend and companion in crime and Alice Braga (who plays “Angelica,” the love interest of both Benny and Rocket), delivers a fine performance as well which brings the love story within the plot to life. There are in fact so many great performances in this film, that it’s hard to know which to mention; but I’d be remiss not to mention the performance of Seu Jorge. Jorge plays “Knockout Ned” one of the most enigmatic characters in the film… I won’t give away the entire plot, but I will say that Jorge’s character symbolizes the battle of good versus evil in the film.

That I truly think this is a great film is clear, but you don’t have to take my word that this is so… City of God was received with critical acclaim around the world, winning awards at a number prestigious film festivals. Here in America, Roger Ebert called City of God, “One of the best films you’ll ever see!” Rolling Stones magazine, The Chicago Sun Times, and The New York Post all gave City of God, four out of four stars. As for me, although I’m no film critic, I know what I like and so I give this film a perfect 5.0 on a 5.0 scale. “City of God” is one of my all time favorites from the World Cinema genre. It’s well worth the search to find a copy to rent, although, like me, you’ll want to own a copy once you’ve seen this great film. Inexpensive copies are usually available for purchase on ebay’s “Half.com” and it can be rented online from Netflix.

Finally, Although I won't give it away here, there is also (to my mind) a story of unrequited same gender love being told in this film that makes it easy to empathize with a character one might otherwise never identify with thus making the storyline believably human, tragic, and compelling.

*******

"Fear Eats the Soul"