City of God (2002), City of Men {TV} (2002-2005), City of Men (2007)

This is a very interesting triad of stories. City of God came first. Using many of the actors and similar themes from that movie, the TV series City of Men watched two of the young men mature to 18, followed by the movie City of Men, which takes us to what lies ahead for these young men as they reach adulthood.

I would never call these pleasant viewing. Although they take place in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, the stories of boys without families left to survive on their own in a hazardous environment, is, unfortunately, becoming somewhat universal.  Perhaps most frightening is that all the stories and most of the characters depicted are based on true life. 

Each of these can been seen by themselves, although together, they create a tapestry of what dire poverty coupled with gangs, and adults, who out of fear or neglect, allow the violence of these gangs to rule the neighborhood. Brazil created some housing for their poor. City of God is a suburb of Rio, while the City of Men productions take place in the favelas, a slum inside the city of Rio.

City of God tells the true story of a gang war. With drugs and guns, the neighborhood is indeed a battle zone. No one is safe. What strikes you hardest is how very young the boys are, especially at the end of the first movie.

The producers had a lighter touch with the TV series. The actors play different characters and the show centers around two fatherless boys who are best friends: Acerola and Laranjinha and their adventures on their way to manhood. They walk that fine line of avoiding gang membership (hard to do, as Acerola's cousin is the leader of the gang)and still being a part of the neighborhood. They go through all the rites of passage, from first kiss to first job.

There are many lighthearted moments in the TV series. It is interesting to see the difference between Brazil and our culture. The police generally turn a blind eye to whatever happens in the favelas. Also, because they are built on hills, the actual geography plays a role. The streets, unmapped, as we learn in one episode, are laid out in a maze.

The final movie, City of Men, again explodes with a gang war. Acerola becomes a target for revenge. At the same time, the story of the boys' absent fathers starts to be told. As they turn 18, they face crucial decisions, most of them forced on them.

Ultimately the shows, especially City of Men, is about friendship and family. Whether it is belonging to a gang, or holding tightly to a friendship, survival must take place with help from others. Without love, we grow heartless and cold and maybe even evil.

On a final note, the young actors from City of Men have said that making these movies and TV shows saved their lives. Without them, their lives would have become exactly what they were portraying.

City of God: DIRECTOR: Fernando Meirelles. CAST: Matheus Nachtergaele, Seu Jorge, Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Phellipe Haagensen, Jonathan Haagensen, Douglas Silva.

AWARDS: Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 55 wins and 25 nominations.

City of Men {TV}: PRODUCERS: Fernando Meirelles, Bel Berlinck. CAST: Darlan Cunha, Douglas Silva, Phellipe Haagensen, Camila Monteiro, Jonathan Haagensen

AWARDS: 2 wins and 1 nomination.

City of Men: DIRECTOR: Paulo Morelli. CAST: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Johnathan Haagensen, Rodrigo Dos Santos, Camila Monteiro

AWARDS: 5 nominations.