in additionto documentaries the favelas of rio have been the subject of several movies, which dramatize some of the most intriguing aspects of life and culture in these communities.

some depict the interaction between favela communities and more affluent neighborhoods, others touch more broadlyon topics such as social issues, redemption and heartbreaking loss.

cidade de deus  (city of god), is an internationally acclaimed brazilian production. it focuses on the evolution of the community over time, following the lives of two young favelas residents, one of which grows up to be a photographer, while the other choses a criminal path. 

while there is no shortage of interesting characters, the true protagonist of the film is the favela itself.  in 2009 this movie was named as as one of  the top 100 films of all time by time magazine.  2002, 120 minutes. click here for trailer.