THIS SERIES IS A FICTIONAL WORK
IT DOESN'T REPRESENT REAL EVENTS OR PEOPLE
The campaign budget is ridiculous.
It's barely enough for the transport, Maurício.
It's complicated. I agree.
But unfortunately,
the party invests in who's likely to win.
Who said Berenice isn't likely to win?
That's not the point.
Stringy was stretching thin.
He sure was.
To be honest, I don't know if it's worth it.
I don't get it. Why not?
-Because she's a woman? -No.
There's not enough time to make your name,
and promote the campaign.
You could apply for the next elections, and run with me.
The COG can't wait another four years. We can't waste another second.
-It can't be. -I understand.
But Stringy was a bet. You're a shot in the dark.
Maurício, you really don't know me.
If there's one thing I am, is stubborn.
When someone tells me I can't, I want it even more.
In honor of my friend Stringy, I'm not giving up.
Because hustlers don't stop.
INSPIRADA EN LA PELÍCULA "CIUDAD DE DIOS" DE FERNANDO MEIRELLES
BASADA EN LA NOVELA "CIUDAD DE DIOS" DE PAULO LINS
CITY OF GOD THE FIGHT RAGES ON
This is the latest poll. From yesterday.
Only 15 percent for "great"?
But 36 percent for "good". More than half are in approval.
The numbers are great, Secretary, but it could always improve.
Look at this.
There's 72 percent for approval as Secretary.
You need to stand firm.
We need to keep that fucker agonizing in the public eye
for as long as we can.
The public enemy is more valuable alive.
Without villains, there are no heroes.
CRUSADE AGAINST EVIL
Public enemy my ass.
It'll pass. People are going to forget.
They shouldn't.
People need to know I'm not like that.
I'm not how they portray me on TV! He's using me as a scapegoat!
I don't give a fuck about the South Side,
but I'm not taking the blame for Stringy's death.
-Not a chance in hell! -Listen.
-Get off me! -Are you crazy?
Get the fuck off.
They have it.
They have the violin video.
They know everything that goes on here.
There's a snitch in here! There's a rat!
But I'll find him!
I'm gonna get the snitch!
I promise you.
You'll see.
I didn't fucking kill Stringy. I didn't.
Where are you going?
If it was party, bingo, or a football match,
they'd all be here.
-Calm down. -You have an election to win.
You have us on your side,
and the protection of the orishas.
Ogún is a father, not a stepfather. You better believe it.
It's never been easy for us.
Keep your head up and keep going.
That's it.
There's no time, no people, no resources.
There's fuck all.
But you're right.
-Of course we are. -There's an election to win.
-That's it. -For Stringy.
Let's talk to everyone in the slum.
-For Stringy! -Let's go!
I'm not saying bad words, but sometimes it's necessary.
Mr. Justino, this is Berenice. She's running for councilwoman.
-Mrs. Eliane! -We're fighters!
You need to pay attention.
Politicians only remember us during the elections.
You look good.
You are the future.
Vote 279.
-Berenice. I'm running for councilwoman. -Thanks.
As our friend Stringy would say,
"It's a daily battle."
It's a struggle to ride the full bus,
to put food on the table,
and to send our kids to school.
Yet, some people say Berenice is crazy for standing up against them.
Here's what they don't know.
In the slum, when one person fights,
we all fight together.
That's how we'll win.
To change COG, vote for Berê!
Has anyone ever seen gun manufacturers in the slum?
-No! -No!
Has anyone ever seen weed or coke plantations in the slum?
-No! -No!
So why are they killing slumdogs?
The ones who profit from it are the rich from the South Side.
They take everything from us!
It's for us and by us!
-Yeah! -Berenice!
-Berenice!
-I will. -She knows what we need.
They're going to start charging us for using our own bathroom.
We can't even take a dump in peace.
Am I right?
Please, not here. Look.
-Berê, stop staring. -I'm not.
-I can't even distribute flyers. -It's dangerous.
Why? What am I doing?
It's a massacre that didn't start here.
It started in an office full of corrupt politicians
like Reginaldo, and now his son Israel.
Those politicians that promise us security,
but bring only death and fear.
-Berenice. -Berenice.
Don't you know that if you stop, the whole city stops?
I'm with you. Do you feel safe in this neighborhood?
Yesterday a boy was killed.
There are plenty of police to raid and attack the people,
but where are they when we need protection? They vanish.
We need to keep our kids' minds busy,
so they don't want to become another thug like Bradock.
Berenice was becoming a problem, and for a reason.
We knew Bradock when he was a kid.
Berê doesn't measure her words. She speaks her mind.
She's like a mother giving advice, while slapping the wrist.
That's why I'm here today, to ask for your vote.
To change COG, vote for Berê!
What's up, Berê?
Bradock wants to talk to you.
Now?
Now. Let's go.
Hey, Berê.
Was this necessary?
You look good.
I like it.
When were you going to tell me you are running?
It's not a secret.
I'm not wasting time. The elections are in two weeks.
I think it's fucking great.
Stringy knew how to play the game.
He didn't talk shit. Just focused on his politics.
I'm not letting you bad mouth me in my own slum.
It's so strange. I don't recognize you anymore.
That happy boy running around, always making jokes,
dancing in the parties...
When the river overflowed... Remember?
You were being taken away, and I held you.
I saved your life.
I don't want you poisoning people against me.
That's the thing.
I know you.
I know you're not the monster they're portraying on TV.
What is it?
Is that woman fucking with your head? Poisoning you.
Even against Curió.
Your husband is the one telling you all that shit. Isn't he?
Fuck you!
I don't take orders from men!
I can have him killed inside. You know that, right?
Aren't you afraid to die?
I'm not afraid of the dead, Bradock.
Take me home, Li'l Foot.
Let's go.
You're letting her walk away?
It's going to bite you in the ass.
-You're softening. -Say that again.
Say it again.
Next time you disrespect me...
I'll shoot you in the face.
I'm shitting myself because of that psychopath.
My father thinks Bradock needs to bleed more.
And you? What do you think?
-Do you even think? -What is it?
"What is it?"
I'll tell you.
I don't trust your father.
Reginaldo uses people, and he only thinks about himself.
He doesn't care about you, or if I'll get out of this alive.
-What are you talking about? -He's fucking me over.
We need you to keep an eye on that psycho.
My old man knows what he is doing. Look at where he got us.
Us? Who?
There's no "us".
You made it clear when you left me alone in the raid.
I'm not going to be your sacrificial lamb.
You know that.
Put an end to this shit,
or I will do it myself.
Listen, Lígia, I admire your passion,
and I agree that the article you wrote is somewhat important,
but if even the magazine doesn't want to publish it,
there's a reason for that.
Who would publish
an article based on anonymous testimonies?
It's not anonymous.
-Felipe died because of it. -What use is that?
He didn't die in vain.
What about the photo of the son of the Secretary of Security
kissing the girlfriend of COG's leader?
I can't deny. It would be huge, but it only affects the councilman.
I need more proof.
If you don't get me something more concrete to prove it,
I can't publish it. You know that.
-Damn, Matheus. -Damn, Wilson.
When Li'l Zé's and Knockout Ned's war made life in the slum unbearable,
I decided to leave.
Cool photo, man. Look.
It's Rogério Reis'.
That's how I met the greatest criminal photographer in this city.
Like anyone who works in the streets, he was fed up with the violence,
so, he retired, and started capturing cooler things.
But I knew he wouldn't leave this pupil in the lurch.
-This photo. Did you take it? -Yeah.
We're after Melonhead, known as Reginaldo,
but he's covered on all sides.
What he does is called organized crime.
He's not just anyone.
-What about this woman? -I know her.
I've written about her. No, about her father, actually.
It was an article about smuggling.
A huge drug trafficking scheme just fell on my lap.
-Was her father a drug dealer? -Just a mule.
He was a truck driver.
He was arrested transporting 200 kg of coke,
from Paraguay to Mato Grosso do Sul.
He died denying to know about the drugs.
He didn't know about 200 kg?
That's nothing for the people smuggling from Paraguay.
He was probably used as bait.
-So her father was the scapegoat. -Exactly.
Whose drug was it?
Just a second.
Here it is.
Curió.
Jerusa's father was arrested because of Curió?
All right.
Now things are starting to make sense.
So Jerusa went after Bradock and Curió because of...
Revenge. Makes sense.
That explains a lot, but doesn't help us at all.
If I were you, I'd be more careful.
Reginaldo doesn't play around. He doesn't.
He's involved with very powerful people,
from gun trafficking and all that shit.
-Gun trafficking? -Everybody knows.
Fuck.
It was right in front of me.
Guns entering the war in the City of God,
coincided with the fortune Reginaldo made in the police.
Israel takes after his father.
If you're fucked, I'm fucked.
As they say, "Like father, like son."
But there's a better saying...
"Loose lips sink ships."
What about this guy?
Sidney dos Anjos.
He's simply the sponsor of all of Reginaldo's campaigns
since he got into politics.
He has four dealerships in Barra.
Huge lobbyist of the gun industry.
Bingo.
Wilson.
-It's insane. -I know.
That's why we're doing this.
-It's over. -What?
-Don't move. -Stop.
-Shut up. -Quiet.
Don't look. Open it.
Get the fuck in! Quiet.
-How do you communicate with Reginaldo? -Just fucking tell us!
-I'll tell you.
-I'm going to kill you!
Reginaldo doesn't use a cellphone. He's afraid of wires.
The woman negotiates the guns, and then distributes them.
What woman? What fucking woman?
Jerusa! Her name is Jerusa.
Goddammit! That's illegal.
So is smuggling guns.
Coercion is a crime. We can't accept those methods.
But he gets to sell guns and kill innocents.
Okay.
So the Secretary of Security
inflated the war between factions as an excuse to raid the COG?
-Exactly. -Why would he do that?
This man right here is Bull, the militia's leader in Blue Gardenia.
They've been trying to raid the slum for a long time,
but Curió organized and resisted.
The military invaded to clear the way. Get it now?
If military leaves, the militia gets in.
When the militia gets in,
Reginaldo guarantees 100,000 votes to become Rio's Governor.
Divide to rule, Matheus.
Reginaldo used Jerusa to throw father against son.
Now Curió is dead, and Bradock is cornered,
he's coming in hard.
Okay. I need to talk to the directors.
I need to prepare for the shit storm.
Because this shit is going to stink.
You know that, right? It's a stinker.
I was thinking about...
writing a song for Berenice's campaign.
What do you think?
If we work together, maybe we can help with the campaign.
Don't you agree?
I'm in.
Count me in.
Really?
Let's do it.
I want a hug too! Come here.
I love you.
Look. I already started to write the lyrics.
I wrote a part. Just a second.
Here it is.
The people...
The people are tired of suffering
Waiting for a better government
Fighting a lion a day
Sweat and tears
Light is shining In the end of the tunnel
Berenice brings hope
Improvements for our future And security
-Not security. -Why?
-I don't like it. -Hope.
Improvements for our future And hope
No. Doesn't make sense.
Improvements for our future...
Improvements for our future And for the kids
The people are tired of suffering
Waiting for a better government
Fighting a lion a day
Sweat and tears
Light is shining In the end of the tunnel
Berenice brings hope
Improvements for our future And for the kids
In Berê, we trust
Security for our families She makes it possible
Berê fights every day To see the slum improve
Berê, Berê You and I can count on her
Berenice brings health and culture
It's Berenice
It's 35279
It's Berenice
It's 35279
It's Berenice
She's fighting for a better future
That's it, City of God!
It's with that energy that we're putting
someone from our slum
in the City Council!
-Berê! -Berê!
The City of God is full of hard working people.
But we need to escape the police's claws.
We...
We know that the person who was supposed to be here
was someone else.
-Stringy! -Stringy!
My friend Stringy.
Our friend.
He'd tell us everything would be okay. He was like that.
I don't like politics.
I don't like it. People close to me know that.
But to honor my friend,
I accepted this mission, and I'm not stopping.
I want to be there, in the City Council,
to look those motherfuckers in the eyes,
and tell them that we, all of us,
won't lose anyone else,
not for crime or the police.
Anyone else.
We all will live.
We'll live!
All of us together, fucking this shit up.
Because slum doesn't mean poverty. It never did.
Slum means strength!
-Berenice! -Berenice!
Alright.
Thanks.
So?
Matheus got the green light.
Let's gather everything we got, and he'll publish it.
Are you serious?
But listen,
when shit hits the fan, we'll have to get off the radar.
SECRETARY OF SECURITY INVOLVED WITH THE MILITIA
AND GUN TRAFFICKING
Motherfucking Sidney spilled the beans.
Goddammit.
JERUSA: ISRAEL CAVANI'S LOVER AND ACCOMPLICE OF TRAFFICKING
And you Israel,
how could you get caught kissing that woman?
In the middle of a police raid!
The press conference is set.
We need to face this head on,
and dismantle their narrative, or the campaign is over.
VOTES, MONEY AND POWER: REGINALDO CAVANI'S PART IN IT
-Your call is... -Coward motherfucker.
For now, Secretary, it's best for Israel to step back.
Let's announce independence, and avoid pictures.
I'll take care of the photo of Israel and Jerusa.
Motherfucker!
It's not the time to be sorry.
You need to make this go away.
The Governor wants my head.
I called more than ten times. I left a million messages.
I can't believe you're bailing on me.
Jerusa should have known that, in the game of power,
loyalty is rare, and that in order to win,
she either dealt the cards or turned the tables.
Nobody knew the damages the article would cause.
The only certainty
was that Lígia and I would forever be afraid
of walking in the streets of Rio.
I'm going back to Spain.
Do you want to go?
-Who? Me? -Yeah.
Until things calm down.
I can talk to my editor.
With your resume, you'll get a job in no time.
Wilson.
I think your family would rather have you far and alive
than close to them and underground.
You were in the news for standing up against the military police,
and you're running for councilwoman.
Is that it, Berenice?
It was a peaceful protest for the death of our friend Stringy,
the community leader,
and the military police raided and treated us like thugs.
Some say that police raids are a necessary evil
to put an end to the war between drug dealers.
Is it true you're an ex-convict?
I am.
But this has nothing to do with my past.
We're here to talk about the future. The future of COG.
For the first time, in Rio de Janeiro,
there is a black woman, from the slum,
inside the City Council.
-But about the prison. -I made a mistake.
Like we all do.
Haven't you? What's your name again?
-Tucão. -Mr. Tucão.
I can't be punished forever, and I won't.
I'm here to talk about the present, about the future.
I'm here to talk...
about this disgusting news.
People in the City of God loved Berenice.
She always got up, and kept fighting.
It was like that when Shaggy died,
with the PQD thing,
and of course, when our friend Stringy died.
Berê is amazing.
After every setback, she comes back stronger.
Who would benefit
from spreading a rumor during my son's campaign?
It is clear someone is trying to demoralize my family,
and damage our work toward the security of Rio de Janeiro.
Or to expose who you and your son truly are.
If Governor Alexandre
doesn't exonerate the Secretary Reginaldo Cavani,
it's going to be a huge example of connivance,
because your past is damning.
Can you explain this photo
of your excellency receiving dirty money
from one of the biggest drug dealers in Rio de Janeiro?
That could very well be edited, and as I said...
The article was doing its job.
When news got out,
Reginaldo, who was once the hunter, became the prey.
Who would edit this romantic photo?
Rio de Janeiro hadn't yet seen the worse,
but that's a whole other story.
...also a big drug dealer of Rio.
Because, at the time, the one who was in deep shit,
was Reginaldo, Melonhead.
And that gave some peace to the City of God.
-You can't come in. -Spare me.
Damn it, Alexandre!
You shouldn't even have wasted your time.
There's nothing I can do.
You're being exonerated.
You know me, Alexandre.
I'm not going down alone.
I'm warning you.
If you keep fucking me over,
you'll ruin us and the sponsors.
They don't accept losing, Melonhead.
Calm down.
I'll do everything in my power to control the damage,
and keep it out of the news.
But your position in the government, my friend,
that I can't guarantee.
Your only chance now is Israel.
Understand? Focus on this election.
I'm proud of you.
I'm serious.
To get on stage and sing...
It takes courage.
It takes breasts, a big ass and a cute smile.
It's not easy.
Well...
I heard you girls argued.
-It's better now. -Yeah?
-Are you sure? -Yeah.
Okay.
Hold on.
Here. Take it.
Just take it. It's yours.
It's for your album.
What's going on?
Are you just getting into the movement?
-You're too old. -No.
It's not for me.
You did well, Dad.
The article.
I'm proud of you too.
Hi, Rocket.
You too, Brutus?
I like the nickname.
At least it puts a smile on that grim face of yours.
-Couldn't sleep either? -No.
I'm going to miss Rio.
I think that even after all that time living abroad,
I always missed this place.
Why don't you stay?
Why don't you go?
No. Spain is not for me, Lígia.
I lived in the South Side, left the City of God,
but I don't want to be a nigga that leaves his family and friends.
You know?
I belong here.
Good afternoon.
-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.
Berê.
Can I? Thanks.
ELECTORAL JUSTICE
"V" for victory. Yeah.
Like this?
For Stringy.
We have news.
-He's not alone. -Yeah.
Look who's here.
-Guys… -Let's see.
Here.
We didn't make it.
Calm down, Berê. It's partial.
Have some faith.
There's still the North Side, and they support us.
-You think so? -There's a chance.
It's Rio de Janeiro we're talking about,
-not just the City of God. -Exactly.
I can't imagine outsiders voting for me.
Don't limit yourself. I left an offering to Ogún.
I know he's helping the people of Rio vote for you.
Are you insane?
Get used to the idea of being councilwoman!
-Yeah! -Berenice for councilwoman.
You take this.
These are new.
-We just got this. -Okay.
CITY COUNCILOR RIO DE JANEIRO 2004 80 PERCENT OF THE VOTES COUNTED
Among the most voted, no big news.
It's already won.
That's great.
We're all here.
I'm putting her on the phone.
-Cinthia. -It's for me?
This is Cinthia.
Okay.
Sure.
Okay. Thank you.
Well, guys...
Israel, you know, he got less votes than last year,
because of the article, but he came in third place.
-My God. -Unbelievable.
We will expose him.
Well...
But Berenice, from the City of God,
was the ninth most voted in Rio de Janeiro!
You came in ninth! Yeah!
Get up, woman!
Let's celebrate!
Stringy!
Cheers!
And soon you'll be President, kid.
Just a second.
Hello.
Hi, Israel.
Jerusa.
I've been calling for three days.
-I meant to call. -Spare me.
I'm calling to congratulate you,
and to let you know that from now on it's each of us on our own.
What do you mean? Wait. Jerusa.
-To our friend Stringy! -Stringy!
Look, I'm shaking.
You'll do amazing.
-I have to go. -No, Lígia.
It was a pleasure.
-Congratulations. -Thanks.
-Group hug! -Want a hug?
-Safe trip. -Come visit.
-Queen. -Mrs. Natalina.
Come visit the slum.
Absolutely. There are no beans like yours.
-Thank you. -Nothing comes close.
-Really. -Take her.
Drive safe.
-Thanks. -Bye, Mom.
-God bless. -Don't forget us.
I'm taking her, and I'll be right back.
I'm sorry.
-Are you coming back? -Yes!
Save me some champagne.
-Bye. -Bye.
Promise you'll visit?
I promise, but you too.
When you're up for an adventure,
Rio de Janeiro will be waiting with open arms.
I'm serious, Wilson.
So am I.
Wait.
There's something here.
What is it?
It's for you.
-What is it? -Open it.
So you'll remember our adventure.
You're one of a kind.
It's okey.
There's a motorcycle behind us.
Wilson!
It's over! Put your gun down!
Drop it.
Get back.
It's a family matter, Junior.
Let Li'l Foot, go.
Go, Li'l Foot. Live your life.
War is over.
Go, Li'l Foot.
I'm so sorry.
Lígia.
Wake up.
Help her.
Please, help her.
Fuck, brother.
Fuck!
Let's go, Junior.
Fuck this.
-Fuck! -We have to go. Come on.
We just got the results of Rio's elections,
for mayor and the City Council.
Marcelo Moreira was reelected as mayor.
Now, in the City Council, there's big figures like Israel,
the third most voted,
and the City of God elected its first councilwoman, Berenice,
who came in ninth in Rio.