The spiritual sequel to Fernando Meirelles’s City of God — director Paulo Morelli’s City of Men

City of Men

Check listings for details

Fernando Meirelles's modern classic City of God is a tough act to follow, but longtime collaborator Paulo Morelli has made an admirable attempt. Switching from producer to director, Morelli succeeds in providing a generous portrait of humanity in the crime-riddled ghettos of Rio.

Expanding upon the lauded 2002 miniseries of the same name, City of Men follows the day-to-day trials of two friends trying to stay alive amid the squalour and abject violence of Dead End Hill. Ace (Douglas Silva) and Wallace (Darlan Cunha) rely on each other to stay alive as random violence explodes around them. When Ace finds Heraldo (Rodrigo dos Santos), his freshly paroled father, he tries to forge a meaningful bond with mixed results. In the meantime, Wallace struggles with his desire for freedom and a life of debauchery while learning how to care for his own toddler son.

Both on the cusp of their 18th birthdays, Ace and Wallace flirt with gang life but largely manage to stay out of harm’s way. At least until a split in the ruling gang brings to light the circumstances that cost them both their fathers, and the two friends are forced to choose between safety and chaos.

The ensuing tension is convincingly crafted, and there is a sense of impending doom as each strives to find their way. Deft cinematography creates a sense of stultifying heat and dizzying oppression, and the dialogue crackles with edge and sincerity.

When gang leader Madrugadão’s (Jonathan Haagensen) mother is turfed from her shanty home and banished by Riel’s (Luciano Vidigal) soldiers, the scene of her sitting in resignation on one of the many filthy curbs of Rio is both harrowing and relieving.

Unlike the hardened child criminals who ruled City of God, the kids who comprise the gangs in City of Men have surprising compassion and reason far beyond their years. Frolicking on the beach one minute and wielding machine-guns the next, or darting and sprinting through the narrow confines of the hill, they clearly value their allegiances. There is honour and decency among thieves, even as gunfire echoes in the hilly ghetto. City of Men peers into the murk of a seemingly hopeless situation and finds hope, joy and understanding in the darkness.