Tough Brazilian police thriller set in 1997 Rio de Janeiro, just before the visit of the Pope. Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) of BOPE (Special Police Operation Battalion) has plenty to keep him occupied. Not only is he trying to clear the drug gangs from the area in which the Pope will be staying, but he is also trying to find a successor to take over BOPE from him. He is desperate to take on a safer job so that he can be closer to his pregnant wife. Meanwhile, Neto (Caio Junqueira) and Matias (Andre Ramiro), two close friends, are so disillusioned with their careers in the Military Police that they decide to transfer to BOPE in the hope of better times. Linking up with Captain Nascimento for training, the two young policemen form a close bond with their new commander. But which one will succeed him? The film is directed by Jose Padilha ('Bus 174').