‘CITY OF GOD’ DIRECTOR SUPPORTS ACTION FOR BRAZIL’S CHILDREN
Leading Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles has agreed to support Action for Brazil’s Children Trust (ABC Trust) by attending a special Charity screening of his movie at the Everyman in Hampstead, London on October 8th, 2003.
Following a reception and screening of the film, Meirelles will attend a Question & Answer session, chaired by journalist Ian Hayden-Smith. The Charity’s founder Trustee Jimena Page and CEO Mark Ereira will also answer queries relating to ABC Trust’s work.
Meirelles graduated in architecture before working on TV and then
advertising films. His 02 Filmes studio has become the largest in Brazil and he has won many prizes for his work in commercials. Meirelles directed his first feature film in 1997 and released ‘City of God’ in 2002. Based on Paulo Lins’ best selling novel ‘Cidade de Deus’ the film is shocking, thrilling and often uncomfortably funny. Set in the world’s most notorious slum, it is undeniably one of the most vital and entertaining films of the last decade. The story is based on true characters and charts the story of a young boy, whose ambition is to become a photographer and escape the world
of drug dealing and crime, which has become everyday life for millions of children living on the streets of Brazil.
Meirelles’ experiences working with street children in Rio, many of whom feature in the film, led him to set up a Charity film project, Nos Do Cinema, which is now supported by ABC Trust. Commenting on this, Meirelles said: "I am very excited at the prospect of ABC Trust supporting 'Nos do Cinema'. I have been producing a TV series with the same group of kids who
figured in 'City of Gods' and have had more outstanding results. This is so much more than Charity, this is an investment in new talent and the future! We have kids who will grow into excellent actors, directors and technicians and that is what I'm interested in: quality." Mark Ereira, who will introduce Meirelles on the 8th, said: ‘We’re delighted that Fernando has agreed to help us. ‘City of God’ itself and the local film project he has subsequently set up amply demonstrate his genuine and ongoing commitment.
The philosophy behind Nos do Cinema is in total keeping with our remit, to empower kids off the street and into a meaningful future.”
Meirelles will also attend an MVC/Warner Village screening of ‘City of God’ in Birmingham on Oct 9th to mark the DVD launch. MVC have also organised an in store signing in Chiswick on Oct 10th. These events will also support ABC Trust’s work.
For details of these screenings visit the ABC Trust website.
