This document discusses themes related to the film City of God, including ideology, culture, power, and representation. It examines power relationships within the film between characters like Lil Zee, Knockout Ned, and the police. Power is depicted as stemming from violence and corruption. The film suggests that power, poverty, and crime are closely linked in the context of the City of God favela. Students are assigned a homework writing 500 words about what the film says about power and how it impacts characters, with evidence from the film.

1. City of God
The Theme of Power

2. 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

3. 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?

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

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. City of God
• Who has the power? Does is change?
• Who is in a position of subordination to that
power?
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)

8. 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?

9. 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

10. Homework - What is this film saying
about Power?
• 500 words minimum
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–
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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
– Research this topic on the internet
• Due in the next class
• Read at least one of the articles in your booklet