Released in 2002, City of God was a groundbreaking Brazilian crime movie and coming-of-age drama, one that I like to say was like an introduction for casual viewers into foreign film. It was the rare international film that went beyond that label, earning four Academy Award nominations, and helped establish the career of co-director Fernando Meirelles. But it’s the story, a gangland tale of extreme violence, poverty, and first love, that captivates viewers now as much as it did then. And that’s why, more than two decades later, you get a spinoff series City of God: The Fight Rages On.
Premiering on MAX and HBO Latino, the six-episode City of God: The Fight Rages On is set two decades after the events in City of God, and continues the story of Wilson “Rocket” Rodrigues who has achieved his dream of becoming a photojournalist. He returns to the dangerous favela to document the gang disputes, corrupt cops and politicians, and the residents whose lives are impacted by them.
Some of the cast are back and reprising their former roles, including Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket. He’s joined by Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Marcos Palmeira, Andreia Horta, and Edson Oliveirra. The series is directed and co-written by Aly Muritiba. Meirelles is aboard as an exec-producer.
City of God: The Fight Rages on premieres on August 25th.