RW Analysing an opening sequence

Genre
The film belongs to the crime-drama genre. The opening sequence (2 minutes) doesn't really fufill the audiences expectations as the mise en scene of the sequence involves chickens being slaughtered, people singing and dancing and food being prepared. However it does feature knives being sharpened which can be a visual signifier of crime/drama and the cutting rhythm and pace are the only signifiers.

The text does conform to the genre but only in an ironic comic manner as later in the film it becomes clear that the chicken escaping is a metaphor.

Film language
As explained above the mise en scene is rather interesting as the escaping chicken is a metaphor.

The characters first shown are high in spirit and people are singing in the background however there is a more threatening feel and tone to the sequence as the sequence doesnt explain very much and is rather mysterious.

A series of closeups is used showing knives being sharpened, slaughtering chickens, and cutting carrots are used. A closeup of the fire lighting up on the hob also conveys a sence of death.

Between the knives being sharpened there are cuts to black; this also symbolises death. The angle of the shots are high and low and the camera is tilted so it feels as if the audience is positioned with the characters (high up) and then lower down (with the chickens).

Sound is very important in this sequence because it is used ironically as guitars are played in the major key clashing against the sound of knives being sharpened that connotates a more sinister tone. The loud sound (selective sound) of the knives emphasise the images of the knives.

The characters look very happy as if they are having a good time however there is a quick shot of people dancing and they look quite wooden as if they are not really having a good time and that the dancing is false as if they are forced to be seen to be enjoying themselves. This adds to the mystery of the opening.

The director also uses a few shots of musicians playing their instruments so it is made clear that

the sound is digetic and that the music is live. This connotes that the people having the barbeque

can afford to have a live band or are part of an organisation or gang and so the musicians have no

choice but to play for them.

Narrative

The narrative is structured in a linear or asyncronous way however the edditting used is montage. The audience is positioned with the characters enjoying the party and preparing food however it is also positioned with the chickens waiting to be slaughtered. The most prodominant theme in the sequence is death however ironically false happiness and enjoyment is also present. Tension is maintained very cleverly as one by the one the chickens are killed and the audience is left positioned with one single chicken throughout. The cutting rate is quick and the audience is hooked as it doesnt know if the chicken that the audience keeps seeing is going to get slaughtered or make an escape.

Representations and ideologies

Poor Brazilian musicians and Brazilian cooks are the two social groups portrayed in the sequence it is obvious they have a low standard of living as the food is being cooked outside and not in a kitchen and the cooking utensals are being used for a variety of different purposes.

There are few values and beliefs portrayed in the sequence other than that even with a low standard of living people can have fun and enjoy good food.

Media Audiences

The target audience is a niche audience that might be into the cinematography or gangster films because its been compared to Blood Brothers and so City of God is very much a crossover film.

The audience could read the text in quite a comic fashion however it also has quite a unerving feel to it too.

As a Brittish teenager the extract seems very foreign and i cannot really relate to it.

Institutional context

There are no stars in the film and this is probably due to such a low budget and trying to make the film as realistic as possible.

Miramax made the film and it is a rather small independant company.