Lil Ze’s Death
Cinematography
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Opens with a tight close up of Rocket pushed to the side of the shot (slightly off
centre), conveys how he is not central in this moment + intimacy of the situation, he
is intruding on the situation suggesting to the lack of the law enforcement has their
deals being out in the open and shows the Ze does not deserve a respectful death.
Constant shaky handheld camera, evokes how unpredictable the favelas are and
lack of stability, showing fear for what will happen to Rocket as he is intruding and
showing how volatile everyone’s future is in the favelas.
Close up of between the bars in the foreground and the police in the background
shows how they are the root of the entrapment of the people of the favelas due to
not caring to make a positive change for the people, also could suggest to how the
police are victim of the favelas (to a lesser extent)
Canted angles of polices, then of Rocket. This evokes the “off-ness” and corruption
of the law enforcement, by this also being used on Rocket it shoes how the
corruption of the police seeps into the lives of the people of the favelas
Close up and handheld as Rocket resets film evokes tension and highlights the
importance of the camera, he has the capability of controlling his future in his
hands, the distance of this from Ze shows how there is no hope left for him for he is
no control left
Close up of Rocket flinching at gunshots shows this world of violence is not his, he is
beyond this and is emotionally engaged with death unlike the police, Ze and runts,
he is better than this
Lots of POV shots of Rocket/camera, aligns us with him and empathise with him
Frantic and confused movement of camera as Rocket runs and only the floor is
shown evokes a sense of uncertainty and energy
Long shot zooms of Ze leaving the shot and Runt’s walling in centrally framed
foreshadows how they are the future, Ze literally and metaphorically out of the
picture and Runt’s having more power
Medium shot of all the runts and Ze out of shot as he is killed evokes Ze’s loss of
control and this power being transferred to the Runts, hints to hope as the bright
lighting however by this being shot from a distance could suggest to how this reign
of lacking of emotion and care being continued onto them. As an audience we are
still disconnected from them, alike how the people of the favelas are disconnected
from having control over their lives
Close up of Rocket framed centrally through centre of bars, he has escaped as he
is no longer occluded by them, see his whole face connoting to him now having
control and foreshadowing this moment is the moment will save him as of the
audience seeing and being one with his emotions.
Close up of Ze’s body through perspective camera shows exploitation of his death
and how there is no “pure” or “moral” escape from the favelas as of the gruesome
image. He is at the loss of all of his power by being shot from above, his reign is
over. The change of depth of focus evokes realism of the camera and the
metaphorical focus leaving Ze now and showing how impermeant everything in the
favelas is.
ECU - Rocket’s face emphasises dangers faced & creates sense of entrapment and
claustrophobia.
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POV shot looking through grille at police in MS as well as CU shots of Rocket looking
through and adjusting the camera focus, suggests that Rocket is in control of the
images he takes. Gives him power where he would previously have been
powerless.
Hand-held camera work connotes realism and Rocket’s desperate movements.
Viewfinder centre-point ( white circle in the frame) allows audience to see Rocket’s
view through the camera as opposed to through his eyes.
CU of Rocket’s face revealed without camera shows his fear and disbelief when
watching action.
Frequent zooming in, out and re-focusing shows the action packed nature of the
sequence.
Holding the camera in a fixed LS as Runts approach Ze is threatening as we see Ze
becoming increasingly over-powered. Runts walking past camera lens brings
audience closer into the action.
Camera tilts down to reveal Ze’s feet and ankles leaving the rest to the imagination.
Again the CU of Rocket’s face shows shock and disbelief at what is happening. It
symbolises an end: a new chapter.
Hand-held camera facing floor as Rocket moves towards Ze’s body. Darkness and
fast movement create sense of urgency and total disorientation.
CU of Ze’s body reveals scale of injuries (metaphor for all of the deaths he has
caused?)
Dull blue and shadowed lighting throughout reflects misery of the scene.
Mis-en-scene
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Stone grid obscuring Rocket’s face connotes to how in place the corruption and oppression
is in the favelas, Rocket is trapped in this system in this moment and is yet to break free
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By the camera not being obscured by the bars it shows how this is Rocket’s way out, by it
being around his neck furthers this as his weapon of choice, he has chosen the path of
peace
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Looking through the camera possibly suggests to how disconnected everyone has become
from the depravity and suffering of the favelas; this sign of violence and exploitation is a
normal occurrence (also editing)
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(Also partially cinematography) bright lights with Rocket in the daylight shows him to be a
good person and heroic in a sense as his intent is not destructive or malicious alike the
others in the scene. He is unlike the police who are shot in darkness and shadow showing
them to be shady in nature, how deep their corruption goes, how the people of the favelas
are unaware of their actions and how they are only a shadow of a presence (furthered by
the fact the runts kill Ze not the police)
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Set in a dark alleyway, shows no proper law enforcement even when capturing a large
player in the drug trade showing their lack of care. Alleyways often connote to fear,
uncertainty and being trapped showing further this to be the moment which removes this
from Rockets life. By Ze never leaving the alleyway it shows how trapped he is in the system
despite not being aware of it, yet by the police easily leaving it shows how the state of the
favelas is partially their fault and how a lack of intervention has created Ze to be the
monster he is. This is furthered by the police emerging from the darkness evoking a hellish
like persona to them. By Rocket being outside in the open shows his lack of deceit and he
is outside of the system, functioning in a lighter and safer place.
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Police uniforms shows an attempt to having a façade of power, yet the slight messy
appearance shows this to be ineffective and only a surface level sense of acre, truly they
do not
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This contrasts the boys of the favelas. Lil Ze and Rocket both wear blue jeans and top
suggesting to how despite their differing beliefs the people of the favelas have a sense of
unity against the police and understand each other to an extent. The Runt’s too mimic this
and contrast the harsh white (shows the police to pretending to be saviours) and black of
the police showing this deep division. The blue could also suggest to masculinity and the
favelas being a regressive place pushing these violence ideals onto the men.
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Cold blue tones suggest to a lack of emotion despite Ze’s death showing how we do not
sympathise with him and is sterile almost showing how this had to be done. This could also
suggest to how emotionally removed the people of the favelas must be to survive
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The Runt’s fun shows how prevalent violence is and how they are willing to kill, lack of care
and compassion still exists in favelas, not such a massive change
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Runt’s all wear shorts and vest alike police uniform, all have 2 common goal alike police,
money.
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Ze’s bloodied shot body reflects that he has no heroic death and also how common place
death is and how it is an everyday component of life. Rocket’s and the runts are not phased
by it, also shows how alike everyone is, life is fragile for all the favelas
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Ze kicks a dog, his brutality and lack of care even in his last moments.
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The concrete grille is prison-like as though Rocket is a prisoner of his society. The
wall separates the perpetrators from the victim. This also mirrors the title screen at
the beginning of the film (enigma resolved).
Buildings are run down , exposed wires and use of dark spaces and shadow all
emphasise the poverty and misery in the City of God.
Briefcase is symbolic of corruption between the dealers and the police.
Handcuffs, which are not used effectively, represents corruption and lack of action
by an inept police force.
Dog runs away frightened. All are seemingly afraid of Ze, until the Runts appear.
Runts all wear vests and shorts. This may symbolise their unity but also the fact that
they are kids. This mirrors the young children shown in the 1960s, the first chapter of
the film.
The guns not only symbolise the violence that is prevalent in the City of God but it
also is a form of cruel irony as Ze is killed by the very weapons that he supplied to
the Runts earlier in the film. This reaffirms the cyclical nature of the film. Everything
seems to come full circle and begin again.
Rocket’s camera is a significant prop as it represents his ticket to freedom. Rocket
has power behind his lens. It is his camera that sets him free.
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Police officers take away Ze’s handcuffs, show how they are enabling the violence
Briefcase of money shows the business like attitude towards the drug trade, by giving this to
the police it shows how they are also a part of this system
Sound
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Camera clicking is dominant sound in scene, this demonstrates its importance, this device
will save Rocket and transcends the scene. Also connotes to threat, the overpowering
pleonastic sound increasing the sense of Rocket intruding, can the police hear him?
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Lack of non-diegetic music evokes realism, this is a real portrayal of the favela’s corruption,
when the music does appear with the Runts it is the tribal like motif heard throughout the
film when danger/action will occur, a new age of darkness breaking through. By it coming
in quietly it evokes an always lingering threat of death and being overtaken. By the music
being of the place it shows how these people are all products of their place.
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Police’s dialogue demonstrates further how corrupt they are
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Music is lounder once Ze is dead shows how the darkness and death could possibly be
gone now. The fast-paced drums evoke Rocket’s heartbeat, we are one with him.
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Runt’s diegetic shouting evokes how their new reign of power, terror will continue in the
favelas
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Last sound is Rocket’s camera, this is what will give him his positive ending
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All diegetic to begin with only Rocket’s breathing and the clicking camera can be
heard. This is ominous as we don’t quite know what to expect.
Camera clicks are amplified as each photograph is taken. This is later furthered
with an added echo to almost mimic the sound of gunfire. Both are weapons,
although the camera is Rocket’s weapon of choice. The sound may also
foreshadowing Ze’s imminent demise.
Dialogue between Ze and the police reinforces the levels of corruption in the City of
God.
Crescendo of gunfire as the runts kill Ze, accompanied by shouting. This is frenzied
and the brutal nature of the killing is emphasised.
Non-diegetic samba music with drums as the most notable instrument as the Runts
claim their victory. The music mirrors the start of the film although the tempo is
increased. This again reminds us of the cyclical nature of the City of God. It is as
though things will just begin again. A perpetual cycle of violence
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Gunshots overwhelm Ze’s death unlike the dialogue showing how the favelas must always
take things into their own hands and the dependence on violence
Editing
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Quick cuts are hectic, shows Rocket’s confusion and danger of the situation. This is a
chance encounter meaning he has to think on his feet, his escape being a chance.
Shot as if they were taken through Rocket’s camera, suggests to how disconnected
everyone has become from the depravity and suffering of the favelas; this sign of violence
and exploitation is a normal occurrence, also places us on Rocket’s side
Camera “snapshots” shows how this is only a snapshot of the corruption and death, this is
just an everyday occurrence that could be occurring anywhere in the favelas
Longer edits as action/tension leaves sense, seeing through Rocket’s eyes, we are
witnessing something real, getting longer as scene progressing showing a possible sense of
hope. Mimics Rocket’s life through him being confused and apart of this community at the
start of his life and how now he is in control and in “his element” now.
Quicker cuts as Ze is about to get shot, increases the tension and threat, he can not escape
this.
Continuity editing – shows Rocket documenting the unfolding events.
The camera viewfinder is layered over the original shot to give the impression that we
looking through Rocket’s camera – the audience is Rocket.
Shots are frozen – still frames – with an accompanying camera click to suggest the images
that have been taken by Rocket to evidence levels of corruption. These are the shots that
will help Rocket’s eventual escape.
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Use of shot-reverse shot to Rocket’s expressions as well as Ze’s conversations with the
police and the Runts.
Particularly long takes as the Runts approach Ze. This builds sense of threat as more of them
gather around him. He is outnumbered and defeated.
Shots subsequently seem fast paced and disordered to reflect Rocket’s panicked emotions
as a result of what he is seeing. This is a significant, defining moment for Rocket as this final
image will make him famous.