Spring Break
Brazilian Film 'City Of God' An Emotional Ride
Louis Mangene Jr.
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Focus
The Contemporary Latin American Film Series held its weekly viewing Thursday in the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center program room.
This week's film was called "Cidade De Deus" or "City of God" and according to the PRLACC website was "the true story of a man who grew up on [the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil] and whose brave ambition is to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world and ultimately his way out." The main character is named Rocket, a young man who grows up in a crime-ridden city. He decides he wants to be a photographer instead of a gangster.
"The movie was pretty good, it was the first time I saw it, I would recommend it since it's based on a true story," said Luis Chavez-Brumell, a 6th-semester Latin American studies major.
The film highlights the dangers and temptations that Rocket encounters while trying to be legitimate in a crooked city. The Contemporary Latin American Film Series provides free entertainment weekly with a cultural twist. Most films are shown in Spanish with English subtitles. These series of films are a direct result of PRLACC's mission statement which as written on its website seeks to "improve general welfare of Latinos and to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Latin American Cultures." For many students the chance to experience popular culture that exists outside the United States is unique. The film is co-sponsored by the Department of Modern & Classical Languages and is open to everyone.
As the United States becomes increasingly bilingual, the chance to gain new understanding of Latin American language and culture can be beneficial to your personal and academic life. As students watched "Cidade De Deus," some had to follow the English subtitles at the same time associating the Portuguese words with the English.
However, the subtitles were not a distraction because the film managed to capture all of your attention with the action sequences and gangster plot. The film expresses a roller-coaster ride of emotions, as each scene can be either humorous or disturbing.
"It's a great film, it's brutal, but it's good. I would recommend it, it's a cautionary tale," said Joe Foran, a 4th semester Latin American Studies major. PRLACC will be showing a different film each Thursday at 6 p.m. in Student Union room 437. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
This week's film was called "Cidade De Deus" or "City of God" and according to the PRLACC website was "the true story of a man who grew up on [the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil] and whose brave ambition is to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world and ultimately his way out." The main character is named Rocket, a young man who grows up in a crime-ridden city. He decides he wants to be a photographer instead of a gangster.
"The movie was pretty good, it was the first time I saw it, I would recommend it since it's based on a true story," said Luis Chavez-Brumell, a 6th-semester Latin American studies major.
The film highlights the dangers and temptations that Rocket encounters while trying to be legitimate in a crooked city. The Contemporary Latin American Film Series provides free entertainment weekly with a cultural twist. Most films are shown in Spanish with English subtitles. These series of films are a direct result of PRLACC's mission statement which as written on its website seeks to "improve general welfare of Latinos and to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Latin American Cultures." For many students the chance to experience popular culture that exists outside the United States is unique. The film is co-sponsored by the Department of Modern & Classical Languages and is open to everyone.
As the United States becomes increasingly bilingual, the chance to gain new understanding of Latin American language and culture can be beneficial to your personal and academic life. As students watched "Cidade De Deus," some had to follow the English subtitles at the same time associating the Portuguese words with the English.
However, the subtitles were not a distraction because the film managed to capture all of your attention with the action sequences and gangster plot. The film expresses a roller-coaster ride of emotions, as each scene can be either humorous or disturbing.
"It's a great film, it's brutal, but it's good. I would recommend it, it's a cautionary tale," said Joe Foran, a 4th semester Latin American Studies major. PRLACC will be showing a different film each Thursday at 6 p.m. in Student Union room 437. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
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