One of the most popular film genres is without doubt the gangster flick, despite the graphic depictions of violence many contain.
Some of the greatest gangster movies include Brain de Palma’s Scar Face, Martin Scorsese’s The Departed and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
Yet there is another contender for greatness that has made into a list of the top ten most shockingly violent gangster films ever made, compiled by the YouTube channel The Magic of Cinematography.
The film in question is the 2002 movie The City of God (Cidade de Deus) directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund.
The film is set in the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, where two young men choose different paths.
Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) is an aspiring photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighbourhood.
José “Zé” Pequeno (Douglas Silva) is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, “Knockout Ned” (Leandro Firmino da Hora).
The film was shot on location in some of Rio’s poorest neighbourhoods and is based on Paulo Lin’s novel, which draws from his experiences growing up in the city’s Cidade de Deus favela.
The movie impresses with its gritty and realistic portrayal of the favelas, whose children must navigate the dangerous streets to stay alive.
The portrayal of young lives caught up in the violence, making tough choices to survive, adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
The film beautifully yet painfully depicts how violence begets violence, entangling each generation.
It’s a cycle that seems never-ending, depicted through the lives of characters who see no escape from this harsh reality.
Podcaster and film reviewer Bruno Lopes is one of the many fans of this powerful, and yet deeply disturbing film.
He writes: “‘City of God’ is an essential viewing experience that leaves a lasting impression.
“It brilliantly captures the reality of life in the favelas, offering a glimpse into a world where children grow up too fast and violence is a relentless tide.
“Ending with a powerful message about the never-ending cycle of violence, this is a must-see masterpiece that fully deserves its acclaim.”