Fernando Meirelles’ masterpiece look at crime in the slums of Rio de Janeiro is one of the best films of the last decade. It succeeds on a level that the director has yet been able to come close to recreating. It’s one of the only films set in Rio that you are likely ever to see that doesn’t linger on helicopter shots of the beautiful coast and the giant Jesus statue. The landmarks of the city never so much as make an appearance. Cidade de Deus takes place entirely in some of the worst slums on the planet. It’s gritty, street level; but it portrays its characters with a heart and humanity that keeps it from ever becoming depressing or exploitive. In addition to being a film about crime, class, and poverty, Cidade de Deus is also a vibrant, kinetic portrayal of life, love, and struggle. It’s characters are memorable, relatable, fully formed, and well acted. The photography is beyond beautiful, beyond enthralling; it’s spawned countless imitators and can be re-appreciated over and over again. It’s films like this that need to be shown to those that fear the dreaded subtitle, that avoid anything not put out by Hollywood. There’s a whole interesting world out there just dying to be explored, a wealth of cultures worth experiencing, and watching this film would be a fine first step in moving in that direction.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Short Round: Cidade de Deus (2002) *****/*****
Fernando Meirelles’ masterpiece look at crime in the slums of Rio de Janeiro is one of the best films of the last decade. It succeeds on a level that the director has yet been able to come close to recreating. It’s one of the only films set in Rio that you are likely ever to see that doesn’t linger on helicopter shots of the beautiful coast and the giant Jesus statue. The landmarks of the city never so much as make an appearance. Cidade de Deus takes place entirely in some of the worst slums on the planet. It’s gritty, street level; but it portrays its characters with a heart and humanity that keeps it from ever becoming depressing or exploitive. In addition to being a film about crime, class, and poverty, Cidade de Deus is also a vibrant, kinetic portrayal of life, love, and struggle. It’s characters are memorable, relatable, fully formed, and well acted. The photography is beyond beautiful, beyond enthralling; it’s spawned countless imitators and can be re-appreciated over and over again. It’s films like this that need to be shown to those that fear the dreaded subtitle, that avoid anything not put out by Hollywood. There’s a whole interesting world out there just dying to be explored, a wealth of cultures worth experiencing, and watching this film would be a fine first step in moving in that direction.
