‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ is a Portuguese-language spin-off series directed by Aly Muritiba. It continues the story from the famous 2002 film, ‘City of God,’ which was based on Paulo Lins’ book. The series is set in Rio de Janeiro’s notorious Cidade de Deus (City of God) but focuses on what happens two decades later. The story follows Wilson Rodrigues, who returns to the favela as a photojournalist to document crime, drug lords, police, militia, and politicians. It also shows how innocent people are affected by the violence around them. The setting of Cidade de Deus is very important in the series, creating a real and shocking environment that shows the tough life in the favela.
Where was “City of God: The Fight Rages On” filmed?
Even though the series is set in Cidade de Deus, the actual filming did not happen there. Due to security reasons, the filming took place in other parts of Rio de Janeiro and in São Paulo, Brazil. The first season’s principal photography started in early August 2023 and finished after 66 days, on November 6, 2023. Before starting the shoot, Aly Muritiba and the cast, many of whom were from Cidade de Deus and Vidigal, came together. They decided to tell the story of the strong community with sensitivity and respect, honoring the people who lived there before them.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Most of the filming for ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ happened in São Paulo, Brazil. São Paulo is Brazil’s financial center, located about 270 miles west of Rio de Janeiro and Cidade de Deus. The decision to film in São Paulo instead of Rio de Janeiro was mainly due to two reasons. First, there were security concerns. Fernando Meirelles, the director of the original ‘City of God’ film, spoke about these concerns during Rio2C 2023. He mentioned that when filming in Rio, filmmakers often need to make agreements with gang factions who control different parts of the city. Since the show is about gang violence and community problems, it was risky to film in Rio.
São Paulo, on the other hand, is better organized, making it easier for filmmakers to get permissions and work safely. Most of the filming was done in the South Zone of São Paulo. The producer, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, explained that São Paulo also made technical sense because the production company, O2 Filmes, is based there. The city’s diverse look made it possible to recreate the Cidade de Deus setting. São Paulo has also been used as a filming location for other productions like Netflix’s ‘Sense8,’ ‘Burning Betrayal,’ ‘Solace,’ and ‘Criminal Code.’
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For the second phase of filming, the production team went to Rio de Janeiro. This phase started at the end of October 2024 and was focused on capturing landscape shots. These shots were difficult to recreate in São Paulo, so the crew needed to film in Rio to get authentic backgrounds for the show. Filming in Rio added to the feeling of danger and realism in the episodes.
Cidade de Deus was originally built in the 1960s as a housing project to accommodate people displaced from slums as the city grew. Over time, it became a place of crime and social problems, which plays a central role in the series’ story. The original 2002 film, ‘City of God,’ was shot in Cidade de Deus and its nearby areas. During that time, the area was under the control of the Pacifying Police Unit for protection. Some people believe that the violence in the community has gotten worse since then. Rio de Janeiro has been a filming location for other movies and shows like ‘Mechanic: Resurrection,’ ‘Fast Five,’ ‘Dom,’ and ‘Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within.’
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – City of God: The Fight Rages On
Q: Where was ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ filmed?
A: ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ was primarily filmed in São Paulo, Brazil. Although the series is set in Rio de Janeiro’s Cidade de Deus, the actual filming did not take place there due to security concerns. Some scenes were also shot in Rio de Janeiro to capture the authentic landscapes needed for the show.
Q: When was ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ filmed?
A: Filming for the first season of ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ began in early August 2023 and concluded after 66 days on November 6, 2023. The production was carried out in two phases, with most of the filming done in São Paulo and the final phase in Rio de Janeiro.
Q: What is the release date of ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’?
A:’City of God: The Fight Rages On’ was released on August 25, 2024.
Q: Who is in the cast of ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’?
A: The cast of ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ includes many actors from the original ‘City of God’ film. Wilson Rodrigues plays a central role as he returns to Cidade de Deus as a photojournalist. Additional cast details are yet to be fully revealed, but many actors from the original favela and Vidigal communities are involved in the project.
Q: Is ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ a continuation of the 2002 film?
A: Yes, ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On’ is a spin-off series that continues the story from the 2002 film ‘City of God.’ It takes place two decades after the events of the original film and explores the ongoing issues in Cidade de Deus, focusing on crime, drug lords, and the impact on the local community.
