City Of God
City of God: Editing and Mise-en-scene
The first scene in City of God starts with an extreme close-up of someone sharpening a knife on a black rock. The camera “flickers” or cuts back and forth from a black screen to the knife repeatedly. This makes it hard to see the knife but easier to hear the diegetic sound of the blade running across the rock. At this point (30 seconds into the film) the audience does not know why the blade is being sharpened. As the scene develops further, cross-cutting and extreme close-up shots are used. Many of the shots seem to be preparation for a meal. We see close-up shots of carrots being peeled and the camera crosscuts to a chicken being killed and plucked. Also, a few snips of a man playing a guitar or some other type of string instrument fit into the crosscut pieces. We get clips of sandaled feet shuffling or dancing along with the music being played softly in the background. We …show more content…
When analyzing the film, the audience can tell that it is set in the seventies due to the stock costumes. For example short shorts, stripy colorful t-shirts, and bold afro style haircuts all distinguish the film as being set in the past. The clothing of the gang denotes a rugged and worn look. We can also tell what the City of God is really like through mise-en-scene. We can see the ruthless conditions the people live in. Old and sparse living areas, empty streets, and make-shift roofs draw attention to the struggle in the crime-ridden city to find basic things such as suitable shelter. By showing all the surroundings the audience can see everything and sympathize for the innocent living in the city. Mise-en-scene used in the beginning helps establish where the characters are such as outside, preparing food, in the middle of the road, and walking down stairs and what time of day events are taking place such as bright lighting to convey
The first scene in City of God starts with an extreme close-up of someone sharpening a knife on a black rock. The camera “flickers” or cuts back and forth from a black screen to the knife repeatedly. This makes it hard to see the knife but easier to hear the diegetic sound of the blade running across the rock. At this point (30 seconds into the film) the audience does not know why the blade is being sharpened. As the scene develops further, cross-cutting and extreme close-up shots are used. Many of the shots seem to be preparation for a meal. We see close-up shots of carrots being peeled and the camera crosscuts to a chicken being killed and plucked. Also, a few snips of a man playing a guitar or some other type of string instrument fit into the crosscut pieces. We get clips of sandaled feet shuffling or dancing along with the music being played softly in the background. We …show more content…
When analyzing the film, the audience can tell that it is set in the seventies due to the stock costumes. For example short shorts, stripy colorful t-shirts, and bold afro style haircuts all distinguish the film as being set in the past. The clothing of the gang denotes a rugged and worn look. We can also tell what the City of God is really like through mise-en-scene. We can see the ruthless conditions the people live in. Old and sparse living areas, empty streets, and make-shift roofs draw attention to the struggle in the crime-ridden city to find basic things such as suitable shelter. By showing all the surroundings the audience can see everything and sympathize for the innocent living in the city. Mise-en-scene used in the beginning helps establish where the characters are such as outside, preparing food, in the middle of the road, and walking down stairs and what time of day events are taking place such as bright lighting to convey