City of God = Closing Sequence

Question 1

Cinematography =

Answer 1

• Shaky handheld camera displaying each lifeless body on the floor which explores the harshest reality of the favelas
• Documentary aesthetic
• Lil Ze is out of focus which symbolises his injury
• The handheld crash zoom on Carrot mimics paparazzi movements with unstable focus points
• Tight, close up framing of Rocket to show how the pressure is to get the photos
• We as the audience see from Rocket’s point of view which makes it shaky and unfocused
• The camera is positioned within the car which allows the audience to align with the people rather than the police and then Carrot is abandoned
• Handheld POV shot seeing through Rocket’s lens as he captures the corruption. Shaky and extreme close ups. Adds realism through camera and highlights how he has managed to escape through his camera
• The children walk away and the camera becomes steadier which detaches us from their story at the final of Rocket’s, he escaped
• Final wide shot of the children, it does not have any cuts, highlights the cycle

Question 2

How does cinematography convey messages?

Answer 2

• Plays a crucial role in conveying messages as it highlights the unpredictability of life in the favelas
• The focus on the children shifts the focus to their narrative as it continues the cycle of violence
• The lingering shot represents the future of the favelas and how the same patterns of violence will continue indefinitely

Question 4

Performance =

Answer 4

• Lil Ze’s violent nature has been shown as he kicks the box/dog in frustration proving the violence calmed him down
• The runt’s have an upright posture and confident strut show the shift of power (Improvisation)
• Rocket’s actor frantically runs to catch more photos which highlights the tense nature. Rocket clenches his camera tightly as it is his most valuable possession
• His eyes open widely to show his shocked expression as Lil Ze was the most powerful in the favela

Question 5

How does performance convey messages?

Answer 5

• Rocket is able to reflect on his experience and the determination of escaping
• He has been able to escape the immediate cycle of violence yet the violence remains unresolved for many
• The runts portray the generational nature of violence are trapped in the cycle mimicking the dangerous behaviour of the favelas

Question 7

Mise en scene =

Answer 7

• Grey and blue hues
• Blood soaked clothing, graffiti and rundown which communicates the rundown state and how they have sunk into poverty
• Emphasis on the amount of blood spilled which conveys how ultimately there are no winners because everyone died, this repeats the cycle of violence. It depicts violence more realistic to shock people
• There is an importance in the use of props of the camera, it allowed Rocket power after being so powerless under the reign of Lil Ze

Question 8

How does mise en scene convey messages?

Question 10

Sound =

Answer 10

• Low quality sound to add to the realism, chaotic layering of different violent sounds
• Camera shutter exaggerated sounds similar to a gun, shows camera is a weapon and it’s importance
• The children’s dialogue discussing who they will kill next which completes the cyclical structure of never ending violence
• Pleonastic sounds of sirens, yelling and gunshots which immerses spectators thrown into the violence. It is to disorientate the spectator

Question 11

How does sound convey messages?

Question 13

Editing =

Answer 13

• The long shot durations are complete of shocking imagery which can influence the audiences
• The use of freeze frames and overlays represent the perspective through the camera lens
• The shots of Lil Ze are seen on the news with real people with backstories that people choose to ignore. He represents an overlooked world of violent crime and gang culture
• We have a long shot duration to force the spectators to witness the aftermath of the violence

Question 14

How does editing convey messages?