City of God Analysis of Micro elements in key scenes

Consider the relationship between the film on the screen and the audience in terms of a communication process.

Consider the use of mise-en-scene, performance, cinematography, editing and sound in order to draw an emotional response from the audience.

Storyline

Brazil, 1960s, City of God. The Tender Trio robs motels and gas trucks. Younger kids watch and learn well...too well. 1970s: Li'l Zé has prospered very well and owns the city. He causes violence and fear as he wipes out rival gangs without mercy. His best friend Bené is the only one to keep him on the good side of sanity. Rocket has watched these two gain power for years, and he wants no part of it. Yet he keeps getting swept up in the madness. All he wants to do is take pictures. 1980s: Things are out of control between the last two remaining gangs...will it ever end? Welcome to the City of God.

Key Scenes:

Opening Scene: This scene establishes the setting of the film, through the use of fast-paced editing, mise en scene, cinematography and sound

Mise en scene:

• the scene opens set in the favelas, with high contrast lighting.
• The use of lighting allows the audience to focus on the culture within Rio which is being represented in the film.
• There is a series of sequences, where chickens are shown running around the favelas and being killed straight off the road, to sell. (highlights the poverty, used to make money, unhygenic etc).
• Lil Ze is also introudced within the opening scene, as quite dominant. He stands out in terms of his costume and appearance, which denotes his dominance in comparison to others in the favelas.

Sound:

• helps to establish the Brazillian culture.
• Lots of diegetic sound is used, such as the noise of the traffic, and the clashing of the knives, which are used to kill the chickens. This symbolises the threat posed on innocent people and animals, from the outset. (creates a chaotic environment)
• Sound is used towards the end of the opening sequence to connote a more serious tone, as Lil Ze is introduced. The use of sound is reduced, as Lil Ze is shouting out to Rocket. This helps to create binary between the poor and powerful.

Cinematography:

• Extreme close ups are used to reinforce the deprivation (poverty). Close ups used on the knives also portrays the theme of power.
• The use of camerawork also involves a dutch tilt, used to create an increased sense of disorientation within the favelas.

Editing:

• Cross cutting is used to show a lack of control within the favelas. Each sequence cuts at a fast pace, which creates a contrast between controlled and civilised areas.
• Absence of CGI/Special Effects increases the raw feeling and increases verisimilitude.

Beach Scene  28

Mise en scene:

• Isolated setting, open beach space, contrasts from other scenes, where crowded areas are shown. Suggests a light relief from the pressure and constraints within the favelas. Reinforces danger in the favelas
• Drug taking is a norm – poverty

Cinematography:

• Continuous shots of Anjelica, shows the objectification of women. Not many significant female characters.
• Close ups of Rocket and camera. Focus on happy facial expressions- his escape from the favelas is his passion for photography

‘Shall I shoot you in the hand or foot’ Scene50

Mise en scene:

• Crowded area, little ‘runts’ are sat around in a shack, sat like a gang
• Little runts have weapons, such as screwdrivers, break conventions of a traditional childhood, they want to appear dangerous etc
• Lil Ze and his dominant gang, stand out through the use of costume. Dressed in bright shirts and chains etc, contrasts with the runts who are in clothes which are torn etc. Emphasis on poor and powerful
• Lil Ze has a gun – more superior, poses a threat to all those within the favelas

Sound:

• Dialogue – talking about robbery and taking over the superior position within the favelas
• Gunshot – emphasises the danger of the favelas etc
• Diegetic sounds of children crying out in fear – reinforces the harsh reality of punishment

Cinematography:

• Low angles of the runts, which signifies their weakness and inferiority.
• Close ups on runts, costume, reinforces poverty, lack of power etc

Apartment Scene 30

Mise en scene:

• The scene starts with a warm, homely atmosphere, feminine, pink walls etc (Dona Zelia)
• When Big Boy takes over, the femininity is abandoned, more yellow, nude women are pictured on the wall – objectifying women
• Carrot is employed – damp on walls, drugs are a central focus

Sound:

• Heterodigetic narration from Rocket throughout

Cinematography:

• fixed wide lens throughout

Editing:

• dissolves in and out, emphasis on time period (over decades)
• power has changed within the favelas 

Bene’s Club Farewell Scene

Mise en scene:

• graffitti on walls – poverty
• broken glass bottles
• Blacky has a gun, suggests his power?
• Lil Ze sees Bene giving Rocket a camera, lashes out in jealousy. (does Rocket having the camera suggest he will have a sense of power/wealth over Lil Ze)

Cinematography:

• Wide angle lens, outsiders view on Lil Ze terrorising Knockout Ned
• Close ups on Ned, shows his inferiority
• When Rocket is shoved to the ground, there is use of a high angle, this shows how he is being looked down on. He is inferior to Lil Ze, a close up is also used to emphasise his facial expressions

Sound

• Diegetic Sound – club hubub
• Diegetic Sounds of Lil Ze screaming and demading – reinforces his power
• Arguing dialogue of Bene trying to get the camera back for Rocket, which higlights the theme of conflict within the narrative

Editing

• Fast cuts of shots, which are used to build tension
• Disorientated camera pans, which builds suspense, as we occasionally see Blacky hidden within the crowds of the club
• Used to create binary of poor and powerful 

Rape Scene

Mise en scene:

• Low key lighting is used
• A dark setting, with all gang members dressed in dark clothing
• Lil Ze stands out as he is shown in brighter lighting

Cinematography

• close ups on Ned’s face emphasise his powerlessness and helplessness
• low angles of Ned, shows he is of little power, increases his vulnerability
• birds eye camera, looking down on the gang, builds dramatic tension

Sound

• diegetic sound is used in order to increase the verisimilitude of the scene
• Ned’s girlfriend crying out, reinforces her weakness and powerlessness to Ze’s controlling nature
• Ze’s laughing sounds create a harsh reality of the suffering which Ned’s girlfriend is having to endure

Editing

• black outs in between scenes, reinforces the disorientation and chaos.