City of God Context Flashcards
Who directed City of God?
Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund
What was the budget of City of God?
$3.3 million which is considered to be a very small budget. They used non-proffessional actors and shot on location to keep costs down.
How was the film funded?
It was financed by Tv Globo which is Brazil’s biggest channel and 02 filmes which is Brazil’s biggesy commercial company. There was no American influence when producing the film.
Who distributed City of God globally?
Miramax
Why did Meirelles struggle to get funding for City of God?
He was told no one would watch such a violent film about the favellas using non-professional actors
Where did they shoot City of God?
It was shot in a real favella although they could not shoot in the real city of Gof due to it being too dangerous there.
Why were the actors not allowed to read the script of City of God?
Katia Lund didn’t want the lines to be memorised to create realism
What did Meirelles want to raise awareness of?
He wanted to raise awareness of the social isses within Brazil and end prejudice in the favellas due to the wealth gap.
How did Meirelles start in the film industry?
He began his career making experimental films during the 80s and he was part of a group that went on to produce current affairs programmes and a kids tv series. He then moved from broadcasting to advertising and spent 10 years directing tv commercials.
What was Meirelles social class?
He grew up as part of a white, middle-class family in Brazil. His father was a doctor and his mother was an artist and interior designer.
How did Meirelles learn aboyt life in the favellas?
He read a book of the same name of his film City of God and he was so shocked by it that he knew he wanted to produce a film to raise awareness to the other people of Brazil.
How much did City of God earn at the box office?
$30 million
How many Academy awards was City of God nominated for?
In 2004, after the films release worldwide, it recieved 4 academy awards.
Who set up the real City of God and why?
The Guanabara State Government set up the City of God in 1960 to remove favellas from the centre of Rio de Janero and away from the tourists. It was not built as a favella.
How did the City of God become a favella?
The government neglected them and did not set the neighbourhood up as it should have been. They did not install electricity or gas which led to the people becoming resentful and eventually they turned to violence to get their basic needs.
