Y13 AST Revision City of God

Question 1

How do we open with Disequilibrium within the film? Refer to editing, colour, camera, mise en scene & sound

Answer 1

Diegetic slicing of knives
Cuts to black/Rhythmic Editing- faced paced and disorientates the spectator
Blue monochromatic colour scheme
Shaky hand-held tracking shots
Positive space- cramped framing/concrete towers

Question 2

How is Lil Ze presented as an antagonist during his opening? consider angles? colour? performance?

Answer 2

Dutch Tilt, close up on his grotesque smile, Dark Blue clothing- complimentary colour schemes that blend into favela

Question 3

Note down 4 ways cinematography/lighting represent the Favela in the 60’s- you should be able to do this without revealing the answer

Answer 3

Natural light sources & high key lighting
Wide framed cinematography capturing the negative space of the Favela which is less built up
Low angles on Shaggy- heroic figure and presence

Question 4

What elements of film form best capture Rocket as the innocent character, who doesn’t belong in the Favela and is also the source of exposition for the spectator about life in Rio De Janerio

Answer 4

White T-shirt, bright clothing- connotations of innocence and peace.
Eye Line matches of him watching the Hoods but not taking part in the ‘gang’ activities
Sound bridges and Narration: “The Favela is like a purgatory, now it is a living Hell”
Cross-cutting with Lil Ze at the start & end- Rocket trying to escape, Lil Ze ordering the Runts to kill the chicken
The camera- mcguffin and a binary opposition to the guns everyone else has.