In the Brazilian movie “The City of
God” Crime and violence are two major reoccurring themes. In order to better understand
the movie and its underlying themes we must understand why violence and crime
play such important roles in the plot and narrative. Jennie Carlsten has
written an article that greatly clarifies the importance and role violence
plays in the film. There are a few major points to cover and the following blog
post is dedicated to covering said points and analyzing them. One major
question is:
How is crime portrayed?
“Crime is, in the early segments of the
film shown as a direct response to poverty.”
In the film, the main characters and figures inhabit an area known as the
favelas. The favelas are extremely poor districts in the majorly segregated
country that is Brazil. There is little law enforcement and the police force
that does exist there is corrupt and more trouble than help to the inhabitants.
As a reaction the existing environment, citizens of the favelas are forced to
fend for themselves any way possible. Since money and amenities are low,
inhabitants are forced to resort to violence to get the simple supplies they
need to live. With this in play, all the crime just begins to spread. With
little to no effective police protection, robberies are commonly used to
achieve what is wanted or needed.
“Crime is viewed as a means of escape, and is treated humorously and
sympathetically.”
As the time progresses, things only get worse for the inhabitants. Violence and
crime are seen everywhere and those without hope resort to violence as well.
The saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them”. Those that wish to escape
the favelas must resort to violence to do so. It is so futile is portrayed even
humorously. Many try escaping the inevitable and almost all fail in despair.
Many other citizens view crime as a way to escape the poverty they live in. In a
world where achieving a job that pays enough to provide relocation is near
impossible, people resort to the only other option. Robbery and crime are used
as attempts to escape.
“The City of God is represented as almost exclusively male, and women's
bodies simply provide another site for the men to carry out violence against
one another.”
In The City of God, women only add conflict to the problem. The film suggests
that a female counterpart only brings trouble. Throughout the film we see
conflict started or cause by a female presence.
The City of God is a land for men. In Beni’s case, a woman leads to the
end of his life. Because he meets a girl, he decides to leave the favelas, but
as the movie suggests, leaving is near impossible. Shorty is another character
who early in the film faces final judgment as a result of a female.
Females are also used as surrogates for crime to take place. Criminals, such as
Lil Ze’, use women to manipulate and attack other targets indirectly. Crimes
Such as rape and murder are used to send messages and warnings.
“L'il Ze's violence is used to control the passions and
impulses of the society.”
As briefly stated previously, violence is used to send messages in The City of
God. Lil Ze’ uses violence as a way to assert his control and authority. Crime
is seen as a way to stake control and in the favelas that is something
necessary to survive. If someone controls all the violence taking place in the
favelas, they basically have full control.
“Violence defines manhood and initiates the young boys into
adult life. As one of the Runts says, "I smoke, I snort. I've killed and
robbed. I'm a man."”
Violence is also seen as something that defines status. In a society affected
by violence for prolonged periods of time, following generations are
influenced. The young see crime and violence as an initiation into manhood.
This only continues an everlasting cycle of violence. The young attempt to “out-crime”
their superiors to show their own power but this just worsens the cycle
continuing and passing the horrific behavior from one generation to the next.
How is crime portrayed?
“Crime is, in the early segments of the film shown as a direct response to poverty.”
In the film, the main characters and figures inhabit an area known as the favelas. The favelas are extremely poor districts in the majorly segregated country that is Brazil. There is little law enforcement and the police force that does exist there is corrupt and more trouble than help to the inhabitants. As a reaction the existing environment, citizens of the favelas are forced to fend for themselves any way possible. Since money and amenities are low, inhabitants are forced to resort to violence to get the simple supplies they need to live. With this in play, all the crime just begins to spread. With little to no effective police protection, robberies are commonly used to achieve what is wanted or needed.
“Crime is viewed as a means of escape, and is treated humorously and sympathetically.”
As the time progresses, things only get worse for the inhabitants. Violence and crime are seen everywhere and those without hope resort to violence as well. The saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them”. Those that wish to escape the favelas must resort to violence to do so. It is so futile is portrayed even humorously. Many try escaping the inevitable and almost all fail in despair. Many other citizens view crime as a way to escape the poverty they live in. In a world where achieving a job that pays enough to provide relocation is near impossible, people resort to the only other option. Robbery and crime are used as attempts to escape.
“The City of God is represented as almost exclusively male, and women's bodies simply provide another site for the men to carry out violence against one another.”
In The City of God, women only add conflict to the problem. The film suggests that a female counterpart only brings trouble. Throughout the film we see conflict started or cause by a female presence. The City of God is a land for men. In Beni’s case, a woman leads to the end of his life. Because he meets a girl, he decides to leave the favelas, but as the movie suggests, leaving is near impossible. Shorty is another character who early in the film faces final judgment as a result of a female.
Females are also used as surrogates for crime to take place. Criminals, such as Lil Ze’, use women to manipulate and attack other targets indirectly. Crimes Such as rape and murder are used to send messages and warnings.
As briefly stated previously, violence is used to send messages in The City of God. Lil Ze’ uses violence as a way to assert his control and authority. Crime is seen as a way to stake control and in the favelas that is something necessary to survive. If someone controls all the violence taking place in the favelas, they basically have full control.
Violence is also seen as something that defines status. In a society affected by violence for prolonged periods of time, following generations are influenced. The young see crime and violence as an initiation into manhood. This only continues an everlasting cycle of violence. The young attempt to “out-crime” their superiors to show their own power but this just worsens the cycle continuing and passing the horrific behavior from one generation to the next.
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