THE CITY OF GOD, THE REDEMPTION OF A FAVELA

VERSION FRANÇAISE

synopsis

The Cidade de Deus, or City of God, has never had anything biblical about it apart from its name. The history of this favela in Rio de Janero has been marked by violence, poverty and drugs trafficking. In 2002, the eponymous film made it the best known favela in the world. But over the last 4 years, the City of God has been undergoing a minor revolution. With Rio hosting part of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, the local authorities are trying out a new public security policy, establishing “Police Pacification Units” charged with restoring law and order. There are still a great many problems to be faced, starting with poverty, but the guns have fallen silent and the 47,000 or so inhabitants of the City of God can now show another face: that of a community that works, sings and laughs. Far from the clichés and received ideas of the favela, this documentary paints a portrait of the people currently living within the City of God.