Description

In the Academy Award nominated movie City of God, the only professional actor with years of filming experience was Matheus Nachtergaele, who played the supporting role of Carrot. Most of the remaining cast were from real-life favelas, and in some cases, even the real-life City of God favela itself. From initially about 2000, about a hundred children and youths were hand-picked and placed into an “actors’ workshop” for several months. In contrast to more traditional methods (e.g. studying theatre and rehearsing), it focused on simulating authentic street war scenes, such as a hold-up, a scuffle, a shoot-out etc. A lot came from improvisation, as it was thought better to create an authentic, gritty atmosphere. This way, the inexperienced cast soon learned to move and act naturally.This is a fascinating documentary showcasing the workshop performed for casting and preparation of the non-professional actors from the Rio de Janeiro’s slums for the movie.Note: The video Language is Portuguese but it has English subtitles.A must watch if you are an actor or into filmmaking.