City of God Scene Analysis

Question 1

how do guns and cameras convey wider messages and values

Answer 1

1. binary opposition created between the props
2. camera = passive in violence
3. gun = active in violence

Question 2

how does the setting of City of God act as a character

Answer 2

1. the favelas grow and change as time passes
2. open environment -> closed/claustrophobic setting
3. represents a concrete jungle that raises violent individuals

Question 3

how is the child era (60s) represented through film form

Answer 3

1. gold colour palette + high-key lighting = warm, happier time, new beginnings and optimism
2. dirty white clothes = purity tainted by poverty
3. football (field) = space for kids to be free and have fun
4. Shaggy shooting the football = end of innocence

Question 4

how does film form create meanings in the Adult (70s) era scene

Answer 4

1. contrasts the child era through its low-key lighting and blue colour palette
2. favelas are built up and foreboding, trapping them
3. Runt talk about money and drugs instead of football

Question 5

how is spectator alignment influenced through Rocket in City of God

Answer 5

manipulated to align with Rocket through his V/O, and see the story from his perspective

Question 6

what does the soundtrack in Bene’s farewell party tell about the era

Answer 6

1. James Brown’s Sex Machine, and Kung Fu Fighting are played during Bene’s party
2. shows USA’s dominance

Question 7

what is the aesthetic of the early 60s (1960-64) in City of God

Answer 7

1. conforms to the conventions of cinema novo
2. done through authentic asethetic approach that shows unbiast insight into the world of expolitation, violence and deprivation that many brazillians in poverty face

Question 8

what did Glauber Rocha say about cinema novo

Answer 8

it is the aesthetic of the hungry

Question 9

what is the aesthetic of the late 60s in City of God

Answer 9

1. second stage of cinema novo used colour and more middle class representations to tackle the anguish that Brazillians felt for Goulart being ousted
2. film makers felt that the first stage was only being viewed by art house students
3. needed to be more commercialised

Question 10

how is an authentic/quasi-realist aesthetic reinforced in City of God

Answer 10

1. sourced local talent and young people
2. on-location filming
3. diegetic soundtrack emphasis the Western influence in Brazil
4. immersive cinematography (handheld cinematography, POV shots) share lived experience to spectator

Question 11

how does City of God construct representation of masculinity

Answer 11

1. shows a regressive patriarchal society where male aggression, violence and strength are rewarded
2. traditional and primal traits are required to gain power and respect

Question 12

how do Rocket and Ned stray away from traditional masculinity

Answer 12

1. Rocket = lacks and rejects more traditional aggressive male trait
2. must escape to a more liberal and accepting society
3. Ned = masculine traits are formed through his time as a soldier but refuses to use violence or threats

Question 13

what character type is Ned linked to in City of God

Answer 13

1. tragic hero
2. drawn into gang warfare and forced to use physical prowess and skills as a marksman
3. emabrks on a quest for retribution and forced into a transition to more traditional representations of masculinity