City Of God Film Analysis

City of God is Brazil’s most critically praised film of recent years. Based on the book of the same name by writer Paulo Lins, which in-turn was based on a true story. This essay will focus on the cinematography and cinematic conventions of the film and how sound and music plays a big role in the opening sequence, it will also focus on visual design and lighting in the film

Synopsis

City of God is a violent, fast-paced movie that tells the tale of the residents of this Brazilian slum. Events are seen through the eyes of a poor black youth who is too scared to become an outlaw but too smart to get saddled with an underpaid, menial job. He grows up in an extremely violent environment and watches as many of his peers are easily sucked into a

Any background sound immediately becomes muffled and quieter when Rocket begins to speak which clearly anchors his importance, but when the gang is shown onscreen the music becomes upbeat and the background voices are enhanced.

Contrasts of sounds

Music gives audience the feel of the film City of God starts with the sharpening of a knife, this sound adds suspicion for the audience and introduces the setting of the film. It then incorporates samba music which helps to set the location of the scene. These two sounds create a contrast right from the start. Samba music is happy and lively but the knife connotes violence.

When Rocket introduces himself, we hear the clicking of a camera. This is done to show that he is a photographer. And now on, every time an important character is introduced, we hear this sound. It helps us to understand who is important. The music again is low and calm to support the idea that they are in what looks like the slums of Brazil yet is contrasts with visual which are not images we are used to seeing of Brazil. When they hold up the gas truck, the music changes after the police arrive to a kind of upbeat drum