City of God

Fernando Merielles, Katia Lund, 2002, Brazil (10*)

This remarkable film is a modern masterpiece, even more astounding is that it's based on a true story of a photojournalist who took photos of the violence and corruption within the slums. The sarcastically named "City of God" is a housing project for the homeless of Rio de Janiero, and is controlled by violence: from gangs within and the police from outside.

This has some of the most inventive camerawork and editing you'll ever see. Director Merielles (The Constant Gardner) employed German still photographer Katia Lund as co-director based on her experiences working in the slum. Nominated for four Oscars®, including director and cinematography.

If you enjoy this film, check out the sequel City of Men, and also the Brazilian tv show of the same name, which ran about 16 episodes, and actually ended with the two child stars wondering what to do next in their careers and hunting for more work as most child stars fail to move on in cinema - now, that is funny stuff..

Currently ranked #17 on the IMDB Top 250 Films