{"id":3084,"date":"2015-03-16T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2015-03-16T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/?p=3084"},"modified":"2015-03-16T09:46:48","modified_gmt":"2015-03-16T09:46:48","slug":"4-of-brazils-most-awe-inspiring-films","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/4-of-brazils-most-awe-inspiring-films\/","title":{"rendered":"Grab the Popcorn! 4 of Brazil’s Most Awe-Inspiring Films"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"hnds<\/a>

hnds<\/a> by Eliel Freitas Jr, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

A country of contradictions and recently home to the FIFA World Cup, Brazil has had a turbulent past and still struggles with issues of crime and drugs today. You may have heard of the infamous favelas,<\/i> or slums, that exist in cities like Rio de Janeiro, but do you have any idea what it\u2019s like to live there? You may have studied some Portuguese, but have you heard the language used by locals from all societal levels? Here\u2019s your chance to see more of what Brazil\u2019s really like without leaving your couch!<\/p>\n

City of God (2002)<\/h2>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QuoUtqgsAXY<\/p>\n

City of God is a film that will leave you marked; your mind won\u2019t be able to stop processing and returning to it long after you\u2019ve finished watching it. The story spans over 20 years as we watch a young group of friends change and grow up in the favelas<\/i> of Rio de Janeiro. \u00a0Raised in poverty with gang leaders as role models, three childhood best friends struggle to live their lives. One boy, Li'l Z\u00e9, takes what he has learned about crime and applies it to his adult life, slowly gaining control of the city. Ben\u00e9 is Li'l Z\u00e9 best friend and tries to keep him from tipping over the edge into pure evil. Rocket, the third friend doesn\u2019t want to be involved in any wrong doing, and simply wants to pursue his passion for photography. \u00a0As the boys turn into men, everything gets wildly out of control and there\u2019s real pain to be felt in their story.<\/p>\n

The film is meant to be one of the most realistic filmatic interpretations of the slums in Brazil available. The story itself is based on true events, and it just might bring tears to your eyes. Pure, raw cinema, the movie showcases intense depictions of violence and bloodshed, though at no point are they gratuitous, as they help to tell the true story of this group of youngsters. A definite must-watch on this list of Brazilian cinema!<\/p>\n

Did we like it? 5 out of 5 stars.<\/b><\/p>\n

Think your Portuguese is good enough to ditch the subtitles? Test your language level for free <\/b>here<\/b><\/a>! <\/b><\/h4>\n

Elite Squad (2007)<\/h2>\n