City of God is a 2002 Brazilian film directed by Fernando Meirelles and co-directed by Kátia Lund, set in the Cidade de Deus favela of Rio de Janeiro.

The film follows the life of Rocket, a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence in his neighborhood. It presents a nonlinear narrative that jumps between different characters and time periods, showing how the favela evolves from a modest housing project in the 1960s to a war‑zone of gang warfare by the early 1980s. The setting itself becomes a character, with the cramped alleys, makeshift homes, and ever‑present tension shaping the story’s mood. Shot on location in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods, the film uses natural lighting and handheld cameras to create a documentary‑like feel. This approach immerses the viewer in the daily realities of residents, from children playing football to armed confrontations in the streets. The authenticity of the setting is frequently cited by critics as one of the film’s greatest strengths.