City of Godlessness

8">

Continuously the film industry has become more and more globalized. With the advancement in digital television and the internet movies are becoming increasingly available to wider audiences. In order to appeal to such a diverse spectrum of viewers directors use commonplace genres that everyone can relate to. One of these genres is the Bildungsroman or coming of age story. In it the main character is tested through some series of events that in the end matures them. In Fernando Meirelles’ “City of God” we follow the story of Rocket as he grows up in an impoverished town in Brazil. Thefts and violence in the area have scared off any outsiders and the residents do not cooperate with the police making it a safe haven for criminals. Interestingly through the story we get to compare and contrast the differences in Rocket and his brother, Goose. Rocket interests himself with school work and sports while Goose succumbs to the seedy underworld of armed robbery that plaque the streets in the city of god. While this is based off a true story the movie mostly serves to comment on the vicious cycle of poverty, greed, and violence. Through the story of the city of god and more specifically of Rocket we can see the potential that lies in all of us regardless of the obstacles we must overcome to reach our goals.

In the city of god there is much to be desired. In the opening we are introduced to the city as almost being a third world country amidst a bustling nation (Lins). Residents of the area struggle to scrape a living and provide food for their families. Without a proper education many young men find that the easiest way to get money is to rob and sell drugs. Goose is one of these young men and a member of the “Tender Trio” who, in a Robin Hood fashion steal and give to the inhabitants of the town. Using pistols the three threaten and beat truck drivers and hotel occupants. Rocket admits himself as he narrates that he has wanted to go on these excursions but refrains because he is afraid of being shot. It is curious that he does not fault his morals, but instead offers a more selfish explanation. Rocket is still young and this behavior demonstrates his immaturity. Even as he participates in thieving Goose acknowledges the stupidity of his actions and encourages Rocket to stay focused on school. In a conversation one night in their room Rocket promises his brother he will never use his gun, even if it seems hypocritical at this point Rocket begins to understand that the life of a gangster is not as glamorous as it appears in the slums. His suspicions are proved true after a Goose completes a bad job in a hotel. His comrade, a much younger Lil Ze murders the hotel staff and its occupants. The murders attract the attention of the local police force that then constantly patrols the slums forcing Goose and his companions to quit their criminal activities and hide. Tragically when Goose finds Lil Ze hiding he is shot and killed by his former accomplice. Contrasted with Rocket we get to see the risk and reward that come with the gangster life. In the end Rocket sees his brother succumb to the ultimate fate of anyone in the city of god that engages in that lifestyle, death.

Fast forwarding a number of years Rocket has now become a member of the “groovies” a fun loving group who enjoy smoking marijuana and hanging out. Despite avoiding trouble thus far it still lurks around every corner. For a long time Rocket wanted a camera, however without a job there was no way to afford one. Breaking his promise to his deceased brother he takes up a gun and plans to rob people. Even though he knows that this is immoral and wrong Rocket justifies his actions by explaining he will only do it until he can afford a camera. This is evidence that he has yet to mature, a real man would stand for his beliefs instead of making excuses to get around them when convenient (Doctorow). Comically Rocket gets into conversation with each of his prospective victims, claiming afterward to his friend that he could not rob them because they were “too cool.” His quest for a camera did not stop here though. One day while visiting a friend and drug dealer Lil Ze, Goose’s former colleague reappears. Lil Ze is irritated that he is not as well renown as he would like. Upon inquiry he finds that Rocket is a photography enthusiast and employs him to take pictures of his gang, and gives him a camera to use. This marks the beginning of Rockets evolvement. He now has the means to develop a craft and the passion to make it a success.

It is now time that Rocket uses his environment to work him to fuel his career. As the gangsters exploit the locals, selling them drugs, robbing, and killing at will Rocket uses their activities as the subject of his photography. When the pictures of Lil Ze and his gang appear in a newspaper Rocket is fearful for his life, lashing out at workers at the paper for using his work. When he reluctantly returns to the city of god he finds that Lil Ze is pleased with his work. The blood thirsty gangster desired notoriety more than anything and reveled in his picture being on the front page. This works heavily in Rockets favor, newspaper reporters are too frightened to enter the city for fear of the gangs. Because Rocket lives there he is offered a job. This is Rockets largest development of the entire movie. For a long time theft and drug sales were the best way for Rocket to make money in the slums (Lins). He had tried the lifestyle once, who is to say in his desperation he would not resort to it again? Now with his camera he has the means to live a stable and responsible life. The plot thickens however when there is a gang war between Lil Ze and another dealer by the name of Carrot. The bloodshed claims many lives and in the end results in the arrest of Carrot, Lil Ze however is robbed by the police and left in the city of god. Rocket, hiding in the shadows records the events with his camera. After the police leave a gang of young children approach and gun down the notorious criminal. This leaves Rocket with an important decision to either publish the photo of Lil Ze’s corpse, thus guaranteeing his job, or he could expose the police corruption in turn making him a lot of money but putting himself in danger from the cops. This decision is not unlike the one that plagued his childhood, in one lies security and in the other great reward but with it great risk. In the end he opts to leave police corruption out of the public eye and instead use the picture Lil Ze. It might be argued that this was a cowardly response, ignoring the clear sense of right and wrong. I would call Rocket’s decision responsible, he knows that using the pictures of the cops would only cause more violence and suffering in the city of god. Finally Rocket has a steady job and a sustainable lifestyle built upon his work ethic and not the barrel of a gun. In the end however nothing is changed as the youth walk away from Lil Ze’s body making a black list of people they are going to kill in order to inherit the drug trade.

While commenting on the vicious cycle of poverty, greed, and violence the more important story is told through Rocket. Throughout the movie we see him develop from a hoodlum to a respectable photographer. By staying clear of trouble and focusing on his dream Rocket was able to rise above his surroundings instead using them to his advantage. This applies to kids all over not just living in the city of god. Instead of Lil Ze and the gangs maybe your obstacles are unsupportive parents, or misguiding friends. Whatever the case Rocket should serve as an inspiration to find what truly makes you happy and go for it. Goose always used to say he had to rob because he was not smart, a foolish excuse. Rocket did not make excuses but instead chose to work hard and was rewarded with a proper job and a means to rise out of the slums.