CITY OF GOD PAST QUESTION

 Discuss how key elements are used to communicate themes in your chosen films. Make detailed reference to particular sequences in your answer. 

OPENING / CLOSING SEQUENCE 

Themes:

- Poverty

- Violence 

- Government corruption 

- The cycle of crime 

MOTEL MASSACRE SEQUENCE

Themes:

- Violence 

- Youth 

- Morally corrupted 

- Masculinity 

• First time quickly editing ; part music; overhead shots, we don't see the whole thing (innocent youth crime / comedic) 

• The same location; no sound, slow moving, see what Lil' Ze has done; corrupted and violent youth revealed. Absence of sound becomes part of the horror 

MOVING TO THE FAVELAS SEQUENCE 

Themes: 

- Outcasts, population of the favelas 

- Poverty

- Government corruption

- Abuse of power 

• Non-diegetic music and VoiceOver - upbeat and melodic tune, juxtaposes the position and landscape, ironic seeming their situation is rather dire (underdevelopment of place - representation) 

• Quickly changing camera angles to establish the area which it didn't do earlier, POVS, Mid-shots, high tilt shots, wide shots. Shows entire landscape. 

• "We are not the picture postcard image of Rio De Janeiro" - we begin to trust Rocket, he has awareness of the corruption. 

• White or light coloured clothing when people moving to the favelas - white usually represents innocence (people seen as victims of the flood)

• Slow moving handheld camera through the crowd - "a last goodbye" to the area - moving slowly - almost as though it's against their will - absence of action in the government 

• Movement of the population - reinforced compellingly by. the camera - uprooted - powerlessness 

BENNY'S FAREWELL SEQUENCE 

Themes:

- Masculinity / emasculation 

- Culture 

- Role of women