the production 'city of god' in 2002 was nominated for an oscar and became a milestone. the director, fernando meirelles, had previously been one of the big names in advertising.

rio de janeiro has also been home to underground controversial producers like glauber rocha (1939-1981), one of the leaders and masterminds of the new cinema, a movement that preached the production of films with themes focused on the national reality, with a low budget and a language appropriate to the social situation of the 60's.