More than two decades after its release, City of God (Cidade de Deus) continues to shake the global film industry — this time with a new honor: the Brazilian masterpiece has been named one of the 100 greatest films of the 21st century by The New York Times.
Landing at #15, City of God is the only Brazilian film to appear on the list, which was curated by over 500 directors, actors, and industry professionals from around the world. The top spot went to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite — but Brazil made its mark loud and clear.
Directed by Fernando Meirelles and released in 2002, City of God portrays the harsh reality of growing up amid drug violence in a Rio de Janeiro favela. Based on the novel by Paulo Lins, the film has been praised internationally for its raw storytelling, unforgettable characters, and fast-paced, documentary-style cinematography.
Among those who voted for the film were 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who described his first viewing of the film as immersive:
“You feel the heat, you feel the sweat on your back, you feel the pressure, you feel the streets. Few films place you in a world with such precision.”
Comedian Patton Oswalt also praised the movie, recalling a now-iconic scene:
“There’s a moment where they do this improvised dance and play ‘Kung Fu Fighting.’ The crowd lights up — but it’s also tragic and tense. It’s simply extraordinary.”
City of God received four Oscar nominations in 2004: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.
City of God is available for streaming and purchase in the United States through various platforms: Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango, and Amazon Video. Additionally, it’s available for streaming on Kanopy.
In 2024, City of God returned to the screen in a new format: a spin-off series titled City of God: The Fight Rages On (Cidade de Deus: A Luta Não Para) premiered on streaming, revisiting the favela two decades after the original film.
