‘City of God’ Dir: Fernando Meirelles (2004)

Urban Stories - Power, Poverty and Conflict How would most Brazilians feel about this film as a representation of their country?

Representation and Ideology How are the youth represented in the film? Lawless, feral youth. No education or futures. See crime as an easy way to material success. Seemed to be raised by the ‘gun’. Steal and drug deal as a way of life. ‘I’m a gangster too”- Lil’ Dice. Obviously a psychopath, born evil? Nature over nurture? Shaggy tries to escape the favela but is gunned down by police.Benny also tries to escape but is murdered. Rocket represents the aspirational ‘voice of reason’. He is the moral centre of the film, the observer looking on. The film is told from his perspective through voiceover. Key scene: ‘The Tender trio’

Representation and Ideology How is Brazilian culture and ethnicity represented? The favelas are obviously examples of cramped, government housing for the poor working classes. The dominant racial group are black although there is a mix that reflects Brazil's multicultural nature. The cops seem to be white. Rich white kids go into the favelas to buy drugs. This is not the sun, samba and football stereotype we would associate with Brazil! You could argue that the latin free spirit is displayed in the film, although not in a positive way. The film is a period film set in the 60s and 70s. But has much changed? The favelas still exist and are still lawless ‘no go’ areas for most people. The divide between rich and poor in Brazil is still huge. Key scene: Benny and Tiago

Narrative The film is based on a true story It is told in non-linear flashback. The ‘showdown’ at the beginning of the film is revisited at the end. The film is told form Rocket’s perspective through voiceover. The film is episodic, told in chapters/episodes like a book. The film is also an ensemble narrative with lots of intertwining characters. Rocket and Lil Dice/Ze are at the centre of the narrative. They are binary opposites. The narrative dénouement is a classic gangster film ending when the main ‘hood’ is killed in a hail of bullets. His ‘crown’ is taken by younger versions of himself. ‘Life is very cheap in the City of God’.