City of God - Question

How far does the impact of the film you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

The scene begins with Li'l Zé walking to where the runts hang out, he has following him a group of people, amongst them is Steak 'n' Fries who is the youngest of the bunch. The camera is positioned looking down on the group from a birds eye view which gives the viewer an indication of where they are and the amount of people are in their group. It then cuts to a mid shot of Steak 'n' Fries and tracks backwards as he is walking in the group. the focus on this character shows the audience that he is a key part in this scene because it is his first time out with the hoods. The use of a handheld camera gives the scene a documentary feel which adds to the realism and verisimilitude, this makes the whole scene become darker in theme because it is so similar to reality and makes the audience feel like they are actually there watching the events unravel. There are then quick cuts shot over the heads of some of the runts as they are sat together talking about the petty crime that they have committed. The shake of the handheld camera and the fact that the frame is crowded gives an effect of claustrophobia and tells us that there are a lot of runts. From a mid shot of one of the runts talking we then see Li'l Zé approaching them from behind, at the sight of his presence all of the runts scatter and the camera becomes even more frantic. Li'l Zé is shot from a low angle looking up as he grabs one of the youngest boys, the low angle shows that he is is in power in this scene. From this shot we also get a close up of his gun showing how there is a focus of violence in the scene and again that he is in a powerful position above other characters in the scene. The handheld camera movements also give a documentary feel to the scene which makes it seem more realistic.