city of god; the seventies scene analysis

analysis: the seventies

How has the slum changed?

 - the slum in the 70s is much more crowded and derelict than in the 60s. it also appears to be more dirty and vandalised. it appears as though the slum has been neglected since the 60s, and more people now live there. 

The camera is recurring aesthetic motif – what role does it play in this scene?

 - the audience can see the scene from Rockets perspective, as we see the photos that he has taken. this could tell the audience that rocket is the protagonist, and that we are going to be watching much of the film from his vision and narrative. 

Why use the beach as a location?

 -the beach location could tell the audience that Rocket and his group are not at this point involved in gangs and violence. the beach is often a place associated with hope and peace, which could reflect the mood and attitudes of the group. 

Mise-en-scene

Sound

Colour palette

-the colour used to show the slums in the 70s is much darker and bleaker than in the 60s. this could signify that the slums have deteriorated, and that hope for people living there has all gone. the colour also adds to the sense of hopelessness felt by people in the slum, and tells the audience that the slums are not going to be portrayed positively in the film.

Contextual links – how is Rocket’s camera reflective of cinema novo?

-cinema novo was a film movement in Brazil which addressed political and social problems. Rockets camera is reflective of this movement as he is capturing images of the slums and of some of the violence that goes on. directors of the novo movement wouldn't intend to film in this particular style, and Rocket similarly captured images of the slums political and social issues.    

key themes:

violence/gangs