Directed by "Bus 174" director Jose Padilha, written by "City of God" screenwriter Braulio Mantovani and inspired by true events, the movie had its worldwide premiere as the opening film of the Rio International Film Festival.

It is slated to open in the United States Jan. 25, following the announcement of the Academy Awards nominations on Jan. 22. It will be in theaters in Brazil next month.

"'Tropa de Elite' is one of the most honest and thought-provoking films I've seen in a long time," Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, said in a statement. "It's important for this film to be seen by audiences all around the world and it deserves to be recognized by the academy,"