City of God (2002) – Filming Locations
Drama / Crime · Directed by Fernando Meirelles · Starring Alexandre Rodrigues
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.
Where was City of God filmed?
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro – Primary setting for the entire film, showing the favela's streets, housing, and daily life. The actual Cidade de Deus favela was used as the main filming location, with residents and community members involved in production
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro – Scenes of the city beyond the favela and street sequences. Urban Rio de Janeiro locations were used to show contrast between the favela and the broader city
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro – Scenes depicting gang territory and interconnected favela communities. Adjacent favela areas were filmed to show the interconnected nature of Rio's marginalized communities