Originally made as a four-part mini series to run during ”The Week of the Children” (October 15 to 18, 2002), it was such a huge success, that a second season was made in 2003. Not so much based upon, but rather inspired by Meirelles’ “City of God” (2002), the episode follow the maturing of two teenage boys, Laranjinha and Acerola, into men.

The stories take place in the slum of Rio and was filmed on location by the same team who made, and with many of the actors from, “City of God”, as well as local people, and are a gritty, violent, yet often humorous account of coming of age. We follow the two teenage boys Laranjinha and Acerola in their struggle against poverty.

Where “City of God” is an account of the history of the gangs, “City of Men” is more interested in the effect poverty and the surrounding gangs and drug trafficking affects the daily life of children. Each episode is thus focussed on one particular element, like education, the first kiss, rich vs. poor, “white” vs. “blacks” and eventual gang recruiting.

More outspoken here, than in “City of God”, is the documentary style. The location, the situations and the actors make it all look like real events. Opposite this, there are montages, who playfully introduces CGI and digital effects. The end result is dynamic and engaging. A must-see for everyone who loved "City of God".