Theme of Power and how it is used in City of God

1. City of God
The Theme of Power

2. Possible Essay Questions
• Compare the attitudes to power conveyed in the
films you have studied for this topic. [35]
• What is the importance of cinematography
and/or editing in communicating issues of power,
poverty and conflict in the films you have studied
for this topic?
• Compare the different ways in which conflict
between the poor and the powerful are
• represented in the films you have studied for this
topic

3. Ideology
• A person’s or a society’s set of beliefs and
values, or an overall way of looking at /
explaining the world
• What are some key ideologies of the Western
World

4. Culture
• The ways in which forms of human activity
and interactions are socially transmitted or
the way of life of a particular human
community living in a specific place
• How is are the Favela different to Suffolk
culture?

5. Power
• The various forms of control some individuals
and groups with in society have over other
individuals and groups.
Our Society City of God

6. Representation
• The variety of ways in which individuals and
groups are displayed to audiences within the
media and other cultural text
• How has you seen Brazil represented in other
texts?

7. Relationships of Power
• The interaction of people of different status
(power). Found within any social structure
where there are differences between groups
• What are the power relationships inside and
outside this room?

8. City of God
• Who has the power? Does is change?
• Who is in a position of subordination to that
power?
• Using the pyramid plot peoples power
‘journey’
Rocket Angelica (Benny’s girl)
Marina Cintra (reporter) Lamprao (little runt)
Goose Marcos Junqueira (little runt)
Clipper Shaggy
Li’l Ze Benny
Carrot Touro (honest cop)
Knockout Ned Melonhead (dishonest cop)

10. What is the natural of that Power?
• Is it economic power involving the
accumulation of wealth and ‘ownership’?
• Is it political power involving the ability to
‘govern’, make ‘laws’ and enforce.
• Is it ideological power involving education,
religion and belief?

11. Power
• The film is about gaining power in the favela and
doing well in the business of drugs.
• Lil Zee/Dice is obsessed with power, anyone that
faces him either die or end up working for him.
• Power = Violence
– Violence breeds more violence.
• Power is the single thing that corrupts society.
– How does it corrupt the police/ Knockout Ned/ Lil
Zee/ Shaggy/Goose/The Little Runts

12. Homework - What is this film saying
about Power?
• 500 words minimum
– Think about how power is used
– The outcome for characters
– The link to poverty and crime
– Give specific details from the film to support you
answer
– Think about the questions asked at the start of this
powerpoint
• Due in the next class
• Read at least one of the articles in your booklet
and answer the associated questions