City of God is a 2003 Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles, released in its home country in 2002 and worldwide in 2003. The story was adapted by Braulio Mantovani from the 1997 novel of the same name written by Paulo Lins, but the plot is loosely based on real events. The cast includes Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Jonathan Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Alice Braga and Seu Jorge. Most of the actors were, in fact, residents of favelas such as Vidigal and the Cidade de Deus itself.