I know that CITY OF MEN is not a horror, sci-fi or fantasy film, but elements within this film can equal to that of what could be considered horrific events. In certain countries gang and street wars are a way of life, innocent lives always get caught up in the mix and everyone from mothers and father to small children lose their lives just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes making it though the day alive is the only thing some of these people can hope for. We sit here each day and watch horror films that can only be considered fantasy, but real horror happens in the world each day, and this is the story of one of those true horror stories that takes place in the ghettos of Brazil.
CITY OF MEN is the follow-up film to the 2003 hit CITY OF GOD. In this film we follow a few different characters but mainly that of two friends named Acerola and Laranjinha both are like brothers to one another. Ace has a wife and son, while Laranjinha has a girlfriend who’s brother is a gang member. Ace himself is also related to the gang leader, Midnight. He is his cousin; although Ace does not want to be involved with gang related activities. However when war between gangs break out, Ace and Laranjinha find themselves in the middle of the war. Laranjinha finds his father who he soon finds out is not such an innocent person, while Ace is forced to stay with his cousin Mindnight’s gang after they lose their turf. Midnight lets Ace know the real truth about Laranjinha’s father and how it relates to his own life. With the brink of a new war about to begin to take back Midnight’s turf, Ace is forced to either be like his cousin or find out the truth about the story that might end his friendship with Laranjinha.
Brilliant is the word that comes to mind when describing every aspect of this film. The script is so intense and grabs you from the first shot of the film. Yes, this film does have subtitles as the films primary language is Portuguese, but it does not matter, it’s a film that’s made so well that reading the subtitles is at time not necessary as the action is presented so well that though the actor communication you can tell what’s going on and how they are expressing themselves. Everything in this film is top notch, from the great acting to the outstanding production value.
CITY OF MEN is one of those films that grabbed my attention and my fears right from the start. Ace, the films main character is a young father, and throughout the film his life is always in danger and his wife and son are sometimes put in harms way. In the beginning of the film he even loses his son only to find him with Midnight and his gang. As a father myself my heart was in my throat throughout this whole film. With each action I never knew if Ace would make it out alive or that the film might take a twist for the worst with his son or wife’s life. Horror sometimes is not just the monsters, and gore we all watch and get a quick scare at, then forget about it. Horror is something that stays with you long after the film is over. While many people will look at CITY OF MEN as another crime drama, they must admit that the horrors that take place in this film are very real in many South American counties. And it’s film’s like this one that may just wake up some of the people who cause such horror’s and help bring such a thing to an end. My hat is off to director Paulo Morelli for making such an effective film. One of the best films I’ve seen so far this year.
The DVD does not come with that many bonus features but does include a featurette titled “Building A City of Men” about the making of the film. There are also some trailers and the DVD has subtitles in English, French and Spanish.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
