"Cidade dos Homens" (2002) TV series 2002-2005

Writers:

Guel Arraes (2002)
Regina Casé (2002-2005)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot:

In this original variation on the Latin American telenovela (slow, emotional soap), life in Rio de Janeiro...

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Brasilia | Father Son Relationship | City Of God | Slum

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Darlan Cunha	...	Laranjinha / ... (19 episodes, 2002-2005)
Douglas Silva	...	Acerola / ... (19 episodes, 2002-2005)
Phellipe Haagensen	...	Espeto (9 episodes, 2002-2004)
Camila Monteiro	...	Cristiane (9 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jonathan Haagensen	...	Madrugadão (8 episodes, 2002-2005)

Also Known As:

City of Men (International: English title) (literal title) (UK) (USA) (literal English title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-11 | South Africa:16LV | New Zealand:M | Brazil:16 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Company:

Globo Filmes

Trivia:

"Laranjinha" means "Little Orange". "Acerola" is a type of wild cherry in Latin America.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Cidade dos Homens (2007)

Soundtrack:

To feia mas to na moda

City of Men does City of God proud.

City Of Men (Cidade dos Homens) is a nine-part mini series, based on Fernando Meirelles' modern classic, City Of God (Cidade de Deus), which follows inhabitants of the Rio de Janeiro favelas through their lives.

Like its parent film, City Of Men is an exciting mixture of gritty social realism and high-octane action. However, the filmmakers use the mini series format to delve deeper into the characters, and the reality of their situation. This approach was much more realistic than the approach taken by the film, as we see our two main characters, Acerola and Laranjinha, balance dodging bullets with job hunting and, in one memorable episode, trips to the beach. This is also useful from a dramatic standpoint because, like with all good TV shows, we are able to build relationships with these characters, and by the end, they become like old friends. We are with them every step of the way, as they discover girls, get in trouble with the law, experience racism and prejudice... through the good times and the bad, we see Laranjinha and Acerola grow. The acting of the young amateur cast was highly praised in City Of God, and several of the actors reappear in City Of Men, albeit as different characters. Darlan Cunha (Laranjinha) and Douglas Silva (Acerola) feature in most scenes, so it is a relief that they are so natural in front of the camera.

The series doesn't have a particular narrative to speak of. Instead, each episode can be viewed as a snapshot of a different aspect of life in the favela (or, as it is called by the locals, 'The Hill'). As a result, the final episode is something of an anti-climax, as life continues, without a big exciting conclusion. However, this is the best way to view City Of Men, to understand that life DOESN'T stop just because the director yells 'Cut!', that The Hill really does exist, and this is how its inhabitants really live.

I can't think of an episode that I didn't enjoy. City Of Men, all things taken into account, is better than City Of God, in the way that it presents us with likable characters and exciting situations, alongside challenging social commentary. It made me feel comfortable in an unfamiliar world, so much so that I began to feel a part of that world, and that the concerns of the characters became my own concerns. Everybody should watch City Of Men. It's much better than the film.