City of God (Portuguese: Cidade de Deus) is a 2002 Brazilian epic crime film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. The script is adapted from the 1997 novel of the same name written by Paulo Lins, but the plot is also loosely based on real events. The cast includes Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Jonathan and Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Daniel Zettel, and Seu Jorge. The film's closure depicts the war between the drug dealer Li'l Zé and vigilante-turned-criminal Knockout Ned. It received widespread critical acclaim and garnered four nominations at the 76th Academy Awards.