City of God = Opening Sequence Flashcards
Cinematography =
- Extreme close ups are used to reinforce the deprivation of poverty
- There is close up shots of the knives which portrays the theme and power of violence
- The camerawork introduces Lil Ze with a Dutch tilt which increases disorientation and chaos within the favelas
- There is no establishing shot instead extreme close ups which represents the forever changing nature of favelas
- The tight camera framing of alley ways represents the claustrophobic nature of life in the favelas and the imprisonment
- The 360 degree view of the favela establishes the cyclical and entrapping nature of the favelas and how individuals are trapped there
How does cinematography convey messages?
- Cinematography creates a sense of immersion and urgency and reflects the themes of confinement
How does cinematography contribute to the film’s overall aesthetic?
- The tight frames depict the claustrophobic favela where characters are both trapped physically and socially
- The low angle shots portrays characters characters with power and control to appear larger and impose their authority
- The handheld camera work creates unstable jittery effects which creates urgency
Mise en Scene =
Set Design:
- Narrow streets with makeshift houses and crowded surroundings
- Acts as a labyrinth weaving in between different streets
- The improvised architecture reflects the instability of living within a favela which shows the residents are constantly at risk
Props:
- The chicken acts as a prop which becomes symbolic of attempting to escape the favela. It reflects the poverty within the favela and the instinctual need for survival. This highlights how freedom is an illusion that people can try to escape but would not get far
- The prop of the knife reflects the harshness of life within the favela. It immediate reflects the power, control and aggression which is able to exert dominance and reflect the power
- Colour in the 1980’s cool blue hues juxtaposes the 1960.
How does mise en scene convey messages?
- The colour highlights the changing nature of the favelas and the violence that has infiltrated into the poorer areas of Rio
- The warmer colour highlights Rocket’s nostalgic memories of his childhood
- The open set design of the 1960’s are a distant memory to now cramped and narrow streets confined by tin roofs and graffitied walls. This highlights the government neglect
How does mise en scene contribute to the film’s overall aesthetic?
- Reflects the suffocating and dangerous poverty that the favela faced
- The colour highlights the changing nature of the favelas and the violence that has infiltrated into the poorer areas of Rio
- The warmer colour highlights Rocket’s nostalgic memories of his childhood
- The open set design of the 1960’s are a distant memory to now cramped and narrow streets confined by tin roofs and graffitied walls
Editing =
- The fast paced editing is used to evoke an emotion such as tension therefore speeding it up
- The restless style announces itself from the start with flashing close ups with cross-cutting shots.
- The cuts speed up until the chicken escapes
- The editing constantly cuts back to the chicken to represent its imminent demise
- Each sequences cuts at a fast pace which emphasizes the uncontrolled mannerisms
- The lack of CGI increases the raw feeling and verisimilitude
- The montage and rapid cuts highlights how fragile and unstable life is in the favela combined with the power of violence
How does editing convey messages?
- Suggests the spectator is immersed into the fast paced world
- It is able to emphasise the relentless chaos of the favelas
- Editing is able to signify the personalities of Rocket and Lil Ze, one presented with instability compared to the other more level-headed cinematography
- Slow motion is used for dramatic effect of the fear that his gang instils
How does editing contribute to the film’s overall aesthetic?
- The editing plays a pivotal role to the intense and gritty tone of the aesthetic. The fast paced editing highlights the instability and fragmented lives of individuals. The cross cutting shows the collective experience of the lives in the favela
- The in media res introduces the characters which creates a sense of mystery where events often unfold unpredictably
Performance =
- Lil Ze performs with exaggerated laughter and relaxed body movement which hint at his sociopathic tendencies and desensitisation towards violence
- He communicates through commands and gestures which emphasises the power that he craves
- Rocket is a passive bystander who is seen as level headed and to avoid the crowd of crime
- His movement is in fear
How does performance convey messages?
- Rocket’s performance allows us as spectators to trust him which immerses us in the real experience of the favelas in a politically challenged narrative
How does performance contribute to the films overall aesthetic?
- The performance conveys the raw, gritty and emotionally intense atmosphere of the favela.
- It immerses the audience into the favela and adds authenticity through non-professional actors
- This mirrors the chaos and violence of the favela living in high stress environment
Sound =
- Samba beat is associated with favelas which is the heartbeat of Brazil
- The pleonastic exaggerated sound of the knife scraping evokes the connotations of violence and the swiftness highlights how quickly life can be taken away
- The first person narration allows us to trust Rocket and spectate in a place of privilege
How does sound convey messages?
- Sound is used to establish the reality of the favela which creates immediacy
How does sound contribute to the films overall aesthetics?
- The use of the music contributes to the film’s aesthetic which blends traditional Brazilian rhythms
