City of Men

When I saw the DVD set come out in the UK I had to pick it up. When it got here, I broke it open and popped it in the next day. I finished both seasons within 12 hours.

I don't really know what to say other than see this now. If you liked City of God, you will not only like this series, but you'll love it. It's amazing. It could be the best mini series I've ever seen.

I used to brag to people about a film called "Cidade Des Dues" before it was widely known. People now seem to have embraced the film and given it the respect it deserves. I will now spread the word of the amazing mini-series.

I can't emphasize enough how good this was. I paid 15 euro's shipped to my door, and I would have paid more than double after seeing it.

This is a powerful 19-part fictional series, based on real events and characters, that is ingeniously filmed on the streets, beaches and the notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

'City of Men' recounts the many experiences (some very funny) of two teenagers from the slums trying to remain reasonably honest while poverty, racism, gang warfare and police brutality surround them. The close friendship of the two teenagers is brought to the screen with rare intensity by Darlan Cunha as Laranjinha, a disconnected but charismatic and streetwise figure, and the often bewildered, likable and always horny ('I don't want to die a virgin') Douglas Silva as Acerola. Both of these boys are not trained actors, and were 14 years old when the series started in 2002 (it ended in 2006). It's fascinating to watch them work.

The series is bathed in brilliant day-time colour and ominous night-time danger. People in this film live close to the edge. Murder is an everyday event.

The only problem I had with the series is the rapid-fire quick cuts and the shaky hand-held cameras. If this style doesn't bother you, sit tight and enjoy the ride. For me, the sizzle and the dazzle are often unnecessary and distracting. Too much focus (literally) on style, and the messages of the film are blurred somewhat because of it.

First things first, this series is not a continuation of the story of the film City Of God, but covers similar themes. Many of the actors are in both (Douglas Silva, for example played Ze Pequeno in the film, and plays Acerola, one of the two protagonists in the series). No matter what anyone says, the series will always be compared to film.

But I feel that the series explores the favela culture in far more depth than the film. One particularly good episode is 'Uólace and João Victor', where Laranjinha's troubles living in the favela are compared to those of a middle class 'playboy' Joao Victor. The episode explores their problems with girls, crime, friends, parents, food, school, race etc. and ultimately concludes that their adolescent lives really aren't all that different, even though their surroundings are. There is a really nice scene at the end of the episode when one is walking the streets, and the other is looking out the window. They look at each other and both think "That boy looks so lonely".

Many of the episodes take place out of the favela, bringing a whole new aspect to the culture. How are black/favela kids perceived by the rest of society? What is school like for them? Is it even possible for them get a decent education? Are they all thieves and bandits, or just hungry and desperate? Say one wants to leave the favela drug business, is it possible for them to leave and get a 'normal' job? Although inevitably glamourised somewhat, the series is a great look into Rio life, shot beautifully with many interesting techniques used - montage, voice-over, animation, pans, subjective camera-work are all used to recreate the lifestyle. Another ace scene is in the final episode when one bandit is running from the police, dodging in and out of alleys in the favela. The camera switches to a natural, overhead view, and we see what the bandit sees, as he glances down possible routes to make his escape.

I think that the most interesting scene is when there is a particularly violent event, and the shot merges into real life interviews with the kids about their lives in the favela. As they brag about various violent scenes they have witnessed in real life, it becomes clear that the brutality in the series is not all that far fetched. Many of the young actors in the film and series were picked from the favela by the director and just told to act how they would naturally when presented with, say, a drug deal or a murder.

The series is into is fourth of fifth season in Brazil, so here's hoping for an international release soon...

Cidade dos Homens belongs to Cidade de Deus' world. However, its not such well done stuff. However, it shows the reality with a more realistic approach. If you liked Cidade de Deus, try to see this mini, but don't expect such a gorgeous creation.

Cidade dos Homens uses the same ingredients that made Cidade de Deus such an amazing film: Fast and inteligent dialogs, which usually focus on the violence of RJ, beautiful art work, great soundtrack and talent kids. Now, in it's second season, the show continues to show us with humor and drama how much stuff is wrong in this powerful country. Its a shame that not many other countries will be able to see this.