Analyse how all the elements of film form are use to create meaning ( narrative, plot, character development, understanding of themes and ideologies) and provoke audience response in the opening scenes from City of God and at least one other scene of your choice.
600 words minimumI(688 excluding above text)
the city of god open up with the intense sound of knives being sharpened. the themes of violence are already introduced to us the audience with only minor detail. the diegetic sounds on the loud bustling streets already present an urban setting .the films opening kinetic style and use of cinematography is very different and unique. we are aware that we are in the present day as the lighting appears to be very cool and toned. the setting is set as our ears are serenaded with the joyful sounds of traditional Brazilian/Latin music. A chicken chase presents itself shortly after adding intensity as we become aligned with the chicken at its low angle. We get a montage of images between the chicken and the civilians in the crowded streets playing music ,laughing and some which appear to be cutting up and plucking chickens. the chickens daring escape is signalled to the audience by the stop of the music at which the chicken lands on his feet and makes a run for it. a plate of blood is presented on streets returning the thoughts to the themes of violence. we meet lil ze for the first time on a close up shot however we are not formally introduced to him. his demand for others to catch the chicken presents the authority he has over others as they all get up guns in hand to catch the chicken. a different style of non diegetic music starts to play this time, more upbeat it immense the chicken chase. the use of guns to chase a chicken seems to be a little excessive . the chickens escape represents the themes of escape and freedom . which we will come to know to be basis of the story , escaping from the city of god however seemingly being dragged ack into the crime ridden favelas.
we are soon met with our protagonist with a quick change in mood. the way we meet lil ze is more unnerving than the way we are introduced to rocket through a mid shot . rocket compared to lil ze seems to appear more friendly as he appears to have a casual conversation with a friend. Between the 2 characters they both distinctively carry objects that symbolise danger and threat however can also symbolise protection. Th gun which lil ze carries compared to the camera that rocket carries both have the power to destroy someone's life and reputation. the camera plays a big part and transpires through many forms throughout the film following the life that rocket makes for himself on is journey to freedom. the camera shortly after cuts back to a intimidating confrontational look on lil ze face to further empower the contrast to the 2 characters behaviour. lil ze displays himself in a negative however effective way as his authority effects all most everyone around him. his sinister laugh and smile are expressed through multiple close ups which are rather intimidating.
the chicken chase soon stops as the next scene is introduced. to further get and understanding of this film you would have to know that this is a frame story where the beginning of the film is actually the end. for the audience the next scene might not totally make sense to an audience watching the film for the first time. in a scene back with rocket he is told by his friend that if he is caught by lil ze he will kill him in which he responds that he would have to be caught first. the audience is unaware that lil ze would soon enter the image in slow-motion as a deep intense sound emerges. in what for rocket seems to be a stand off between lil ze his gang the chicken and rocket appears to actually be a stand off between lil ze his gang and the corrupt police in the city of god. the scene is showed in a variety of long shots medium shots and close shots presenting each and every character in that shot. the intensity dies down as the voice of the narrator takes over the whole scene as we are quickly taken back to the actual beginning of the story.
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