City of Dreams

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2:22

City of Dreams

R

2024

1h 36m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

Inspired by true events, City of Dreams follows Jesús, a young Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he's trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop making fast fashion in downtown Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair, he's forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas. Despite Jesús' hellish existence, he finds solace in Elena, a girl who was similarly betrayed and sold into slavery. When she goes missing and another co-worker Carlitos is severely beaten, Jesús realizes that the only way to save himself and the others is to fight back, even if it costs him his life.

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

09/02/2024

0/4

If the purpose of this movie is to raise awareness but not do anything, mission accomplished.

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Carlos Aguilar

Variety

08/30/2024

Ramchandani’s baffling screenplay contains the most obvious, stock archetypes of people recurrent in Hollywood’s uninteresting depictions of Latino communities.

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Mark Hanson

Slant Magazine

08/26/2024

.5/4

The film resembles less a realistic peek into the modern slavery of immigrants in America as it does grist for the torture porn mill.

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Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

11/13/2024

Like with its spiritual predecessor in Sound of Freedom, the flaw is not in its highlighting of an incredibly pressing issue, but rather the puerile view it seems to take regarding its nature.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

10/08/2024

C

Never passes the credibility test.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

10/04/2024

3/5

Tackling horrific subject matter, this movie manages to avoid being too cumbersome or preachy, focusing instead on its movements and rhythms and its likable, sympathetic lead character.

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Autumn M

@RT41903707 09/20/2024

Sometimes we have to stop and take a moment to reevaluate our contribution to certain issues. I feel like after watching this movie I'm going to try and be more conscious about where I buy my clothes.

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Quentin C

@RT86409273 09/20/2024

I feel like I have become more knowledgable about child labor trafficking after watching this film. I would definitely suggest this movie to anybody who wants to inform themselves about this issue.

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Francisco P

@RT31694623 09/20/2024

Beautiful filmmaking and an inspiring story.

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Ayla H

@RT69768680 09/20/2024

A film like City of Dreams is both haunting and inspiring. It shows us a world that many people are unaware of, while this film is intense, watching Jesus, played by Ari Lopez, push through and find his way out of the sweatshop is inspiring.

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Alex M

@RT30420593 09/19/2024

This film will touch you. It's a great example of what the human spirit can overcome. I enjoyed the film.

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Blakely G

@RT97515754 09/19/2024

A gripping film that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

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Mohit Ramchandani

Director

Ari Lopez

Jesús

Renata Vaca

Helena

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City of Dreams: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

Inspired by true events, City of Dreams follows Jesús, a young Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he's trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop making fast fashion in downtown Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair, he's forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas. Despite Jesús' hellish existence, he finds solace in Elena, a girl who was similarly betrayed and sold into slavery. When she goes missing and another co-worker Carlitos is severely beaten, Jesús realizes that the only way to save himself and the others is to fight back, even if it costs him his life.

Director: Mohit Ramchandani
Producer: Sean Wolfington, Mohit Ramchandani, Matt Diezel, Jon Graham, Rufus Parker
Screenwriter: Mohit Ramchandani
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: P2 Films, Mogul Productions
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Partial Nudity|Bloody Images|Language|Child Abuse|Some Sexual Material)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2024, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7M
Runtime: 1h 36m