City of God is a fantastic examination into the influence of poverty in young kids lives, how their situation can force them down paths of deep violence and crime, how they're essentially pigeonholed into falling into that lifestyle because of the economic and societal pressures they're surrounded by. It's meaningless conflict and violence

It's told over several years, narrated by one character Rocket, and shifts between telling us about various characters within this world of gangs and hoodlums.

It's all told with very stylised direction and editing, that sometimes is rooted in early 2000's cheese, but mostly is very effective in giving this story energy and drive.

It's just a really good, interesting, movie with a lot to say about the experience of poverty and it does it in a very unique way.

Watched as part of Film Club

Film Club Ranked