City of God (2002)

Also known as Cidade de Deus.
Liked Goodfellas and don't mind subtitles? Then you absolutely need to see this. Detailing the life of a boy living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro as those around him grow up into a life of crime, each step forward in this twisted narrative shows off more fascinating wrinkles while the scope just keeps expanding. It's a film that enjoys taking frequent detours from the main plot, cleverly charting their way back to the core, and treats the unbelievable violence going on throughout almost with a kind of nostalgia. For these people, the chaos and danger is just a way of life. The result is epic yet intimate, and incredibly focused on its characters and culture. By the end it feels significant and essential, it's harsh realities shockingly relatable, and effectively unforgettable.

9 out of 10.