City of God = Hand/Foot Scene

Question 1

Cinematography =

Answer 1

• The camera focuses on the shots of the Steak n’ fries which symbolises the emotion and sad normality of this innocence
• Low angle and high angel shots are used to establish power of Lil Ze and the vulnerability of the children
• A low angle shot of the children is able to show that Lil Ze looks down on them whereas the high angle shows how the children look up to Lil Ze as the gang leader. They make them do their dirty work and takes pleasure from terrorising the runts
• The hand held camera creates a documentary style of the realism which adds to the themes of Cinema Novo
• High angle shot from the outside bars of the favela to highlight how they appear trapped

Question 2

How does cinematography convey messages?

Question 4

Performance =

Answer 4

• Lil Ze shows leadership and establishes his power in the group
• Symbolizes Lil Ze’s hierarchy from the children’s scared body movement and interactions with the children
• His excitement is shown in his facial expressions which connotates his love for violence. This is able to immerse the audience in the favela and be disgusted by his behaviour
• The child’s emphasis on vulnerability whilst sobbing offering his hand adds to the realism as it showed his true fear. He was taught to be scared of Lil Ze which added authenticity

Question 5

How does performance convey messages?

Question 7

Sound =

Answer 7

• Comes from spoken dialogue of screaming and laughing
• This increases the documentary style of realism with no additional music or narration. It forces us to feel like a helpless
• We are able to hear diegetic sound of natural things such as talking, cattle and footsteps
• Dialogue also reflects how Steak n’ Fries is initiated into the group through the quote ‘ Your one of us now ‘
• The children crying out in fear reinforces the fragility of life in the favela and acts as a harsh reminder of the severe punishment

Question 8

How does sound convey messages?

Question 10

Mise en Scene =

Answer 10

• The runts were dirty, ripped clothing which highlights their youth and their lack of responsibility, but also their poverty
• Lil Ze and other gang members were jewellery to display their. Some are shirtless which reflects how they do not need to be protected in their environment. This emphasises the contrast of poor and powerful in the favela
• The props are guns and food which have been stolen which signifies the cycle of violent gang members
• The runts are positioned in a fenced and shadowed corner of the favela which foreshadows the entrapping feeling of the favelas. This is juxtaposed through Lil Ze walking freely in the alley ways and sun
• The staging shows Lil Ze as the leader of the gang whilst the other members form a triangular shape behind them.
• The runts however are shown as equal in a circular position where they all are able to have an input which juxtaposes Lil Ze’s gang
• The children have props which are weapons to make them appear more dangerous

Question 11

How does mise en scene convey messages?

Question 13

Editing =

Answer 13

• They use cross cutting shots which are fast paced and build’s tension which becomes disorientating
• The shots become harder to focus which demonstrates the chaos of the scene
• The shots become shorter when Lil Ze arrives heightening the pace.

Question 14

How does editing convey messages?