City of Men

City of Men is a 2007 Portuguese-language drama film directed by Paulo Morelli. The screenplay was written by Elena Soarez, based on a story by Morelli and Soarez. It is a film version of the TV series Cidade dos Homens that ran for four seasons in Brazil following the international success of the film City of God (2002); both directed by producer Fernando Meirelles. The film was released on August 31, 2007, in the United States by Miramax Films (who also distributed City of God in the US) and in Brazil by Petrobras Distribuidora. It received positive reviews from critics. Plot Best friends Acerola ("Ace") and Laranjinha ("Wallace") live in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and have been raised without their fathers. They are turning eighteen as a war between rival drug gangs begins around them. Wallace, with Ace's help, gets to meet his father, Heraldo, in person, a parolee living not very far away, only to witness the police arrest of his father a few days after. Wallace and Ace discover that their fathers were best friends, but Heraldo killed Ace's father in a robbery incident. Each discovers things about his missing father that could potentially compromise their solid friendship. At the end, they decide to leave "the Hill" and lead a responsible life. Cast Douglas Silva as Acerola, "Ace" Darlan Cunha as Laranjinha, or "Wallace" Jonathan Haagensen as Madrugadão Rodrigo dos Santos as Heraldo Camila Monteiro as Cris Naima Silva as Camila Eduardo Br as Nefasto Luciano Vidigal as Fiel Pedro Henrique as Caju Vítor and Vincus Olivera as Clayton