Maps of Movies

City of God (2002)

Where City of God says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Set in Cidade de Deus, shot mostly in a different Rio favela, Cidade Alta

Scenes and places

The chicken chase

An armed gang chases an escaped chicken through the favela. The chicken stops between the gang and a young man nicknamed Rocket.

Set in Cidade de Deus, Rio de Janeiro — An armed gang chases an escaped chicken through the favela. The chicken stops between the gang and a young man nicknamed Rocket. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The City of God is a housing estate turned favela in western Rio.

The motel hold-up

In the 1960s, Li'l Dice, a boy, persuades the Tender Trio to hold up a motel and rob its occupants. He is told to be the lookout.

Set in A motel (location not named) — In the 1960s, Li'l Dice, a boy, persuades the Tender Trio to hold up a motel and rob its occupants. He is told to be the lookout.

A motel in the favela's early years; the source names no location.

Rocket and the hippies

In the 1970s, Rocket has joined a group of young hippies. He enjoys photography and likes a girl, Angélica, but a gang of petty criminal kids known as The Runts ruins his attempt to get close to her.

Set in Cidade de Deus, Rio de Janeiro — In the 1970s, Rocket has joined a group of young hippies. He enjoys photography and likes a girl, Angélica, but a gang of petty criminal kids known as The Runts ruins his attempt to get close to her. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The 1970s favela streets, shot in a different favela.

Filmed at Cidade Alta, Cordovil, Rio de Janeiro — The 1970s part of the film was shot here, no specific street given. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The apartment

Rocket witnesses Li'l Zé take over 'the apartment', a known drug distribution center, and force Blacky to work for him.

Set in "The apartment", drug distribution center — Rocket witnesses Li'l Zé take over 'the apartment', a known drug distribution center, and force Blacky to work for him.

A drug distribution point in the 1970s favela.

Benny's farewell party

Benny and Angélica decide to leave the city and the drug trade. At Benny's farewell party, he and Li'l Zé argue about his leaving.

Set in Benny's farewell party venue — Benny and Angélica decide to leave the city and the drug trade. At Benny's farewell party, he and Li'l Zé argue about his leaving.

A party in the 1970s favela; the source names no venue.

The gang war

A gang war breaks out between Carrot and Li'l Zé. Both sides enlist more soldiers and the war is still going a year later, in 1981.

Set in Cidade de Deus, Rio de Janeiro — A gang war breaks out between Carrot and Li'l Zé. Both sides enlist more soldiers and the war is still going a year later, in 1981. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The 1980s favela streets; filmed in selected favelas and a studio.

The bank robbery

Knockout Ned sides with Carrot, trying to harm only criminals, but quickly loses his morals after having to shoot a policeman during a bank robbery.

Set in Bank (location not named) — Knockout Ned sides with Carrot, trying to harm only criminals, but quickly loses his morals after having to shoot a policeman during a bank robbery.

A bank during the gang war; the source names no location.

The newspaper and the photos

Li'l Zé has Rocket take photos of him and his gang. A reporter publishes them, a scoop since no outsider can safely enter the City of God. The reporter takes Rocket in for the night.

Set in Newspaper office (location not named) — Li'l Zé has Rocket take photos of him and his gang. A reporter publishes them, a scoop since no outsider can safely enter the City of God. The reporter takes Rocket in for the night.

A newspaper in Rio; the source names no location.

Characters

• Rocket — A young photographer who grows up in the favela.
• Li'l Zé — Formerly Li'l Dice; builds a drug empire in the favela.
• Li'l Dice — A young boy who convinces the Tender Trio to hold up a motel.
• Knockout Ned — A peaceful ex-soldier drawn into the gang war.