the film's protagonists are mainly children, so the story is both touching and disturbing while loosely based on real events.

also examining crime in rio de janeiro, tropa de elite (elite squad) (2007) and its sequel, tropa de elite 2 (elite squad: the enemy within), (2010) are two of brazil's biggest grossing films having taken a combined $77,685,872 at the box office.

the first installment, which holds records for ticket sales and gross revenue, won plaudits worldwide and subsequently won the golden bear award at the 2008 berlin film festival.

tropa de elite 2 also holds records for ticket sales and gross revenue - both films were directed by josé padilha, a brazilian filmmaker and writer - the first film follows roberto nascimento, played by wagner moura, and portrays his rise through the rio de janeiro police force.