Student made presentation looking at the issue of how youth culture is represented in the film City of God.

1. Young People and Young Culture
By Jamuna Limbu

2. How are young People and youth culture
represented?
 They are represented into extreme negative light. They are presented
with lack of education, lack of self-disciplined and mostly with lack of
love.
For instance, in terms of mise-en-scene, most young people are
associated with guns and drugs.
• Young people are easily corrupted by power- they do not use power
in a positive way to make things better instead they use for killing and
robbing this is effective because like adults they want power to
control everything around them. Like Lil Dice they want respect and
independent.
• The youth culture are trapped in a cycle of criminality. They are
shown committing crimes and doing drugs this is effective as
Mierelles shows this is normal and acceptable.

3. What would be good scenes to talking in relation to
the representation of Young people/youth culture?
Why?
 Tender Trio- The Gas Truck Hold Up
The scene presents three teenage boys with child like bheaviour who
takes the law and crime as a game. They are not aware of the real
consequences.
• Another supportive scene is when The Tender Trio robs the motel not
knowing later on this will lead them to their death.
• The Motel Scene – when Lil Dice kills the people brutally.
In this scene Lil Dice is represented in a devil form who is mentally and
emotionally disturbed. It could be argued the major reason of Lil Dice
behaving aggressively is because he want to be in control and gain the
power.

4. What might be challenging about the
representation of young people and youth
culture?
 The lack of education and lack of understanding- I think these
are the major things that has challenge the youngsters in ‘City
of God’ for instance The Runts suffers from the lack of
understanding of the gangster lifestyle but still wants to be a
part of the gang which shows they want to gain a power and
respect like Lil Dice.
 Lack of self- discipline is another major concept which makes
the youngsters vulnerable and fragile. The lack of parents'
love and support is shown in a great deal as how this is shown
through their appearances.
 Choosing the right path is also considered as a great deal in
‘City of God’ Violence versus escapism through hard work is
an good example as how Rocket does not follow the same
path as the majority of the characters .

5. What messages might the audience take from this
film about young people and youth culture?
 The young people in City of God are doomed from the start and
are trapped within the slum and are conflict within it- although
youths are trapped it’s the choices they make that can change
their lives. The choice between a gun and a camera is
highlighted often.
 That gangs are extremely important in youth culture. Belonging
to a gang gives teens a sense of identity, power and family.
 The ‘Runts’ are represented as a band of gun-toting, mischief-
making and free- wheeling ‘criminals’ this negative
representation serves to mirror social anxieties revolving youth
culture in Brazil.