Film Comparison

The significance of a movie depends on several factors. One of which is the use of the

camera to record visual images using a variety of other controlled factors, such as the camera

lens, positioning, scaling, mobility, etc., is known as cinematography. In this essay, I will be

analyzing the films “Do The Right Thing” by Spike Lee, and “City of God” by Lund and

Meirelles through the aspect of cinematography and discuss how it contributes to the story’s

development of meaning and understanding.

Spike Lee's film, "Do The Right Thing," relies heavily on cinematography to highlight

the racial tensions among the characters. The movie unfolds over one sweltering summer day in

a Brooklyn neighborhood that is predominately made up of black people. One of the many

symbols in the movie and a catalyst for the escalating tensions is the word "heat.” In the film, the

use of camera movements, camera angles, and camera distancing contributes to the execution of

the cinematography. For example, in the scene of Radio Raheem and Buggin’ out protesting at

Sal’s pizzeria, the camera cuts back and forth between them at slanted angles contributing to the

heat, tension, anger, and intensity of this scene. These are further supported by the use of low

perspectives in the same scene, which highlights the vast difference in stature between these

characters.

In this movie, camera movements are also quite significant. There are several sequences

where the actors were seen yelling at one another, thus, most of the camera work consists of

quick shot-reversal shots. The tension and bewilderment in the movie are maximized by the

employment of these incredibly quick camera movements. The fast-moving camera contributes

to the uncomfortable tension that is shown throughout the movie and heightens the dialogue that

characters use to express themselves and show how their issues affect how they view people of

different races.

Moreover, this movie makes good use of camera distance. The camera distance in Do

The Right Thing's scenes, particularly when close-up shots are used, is crucial to the story. The

majority of the film is made up of close-up shots, and several situations in it are distinguished by

them. One scene in Sal's Pizzeria features a crucial discussion about racism and society between

the characters Mookie and Pino. Through Mookie, we are made aware of Pino's unfavorable

viewpoint on black people, or what he refers to as the n-word. At this moment, the camera

alternates between the two of them as they talk, giving us a glimpse into their personalities as

they reflect on issues of race, society, and civilization.

Overall, the conflict between the characters is heightened by the employment of a variety

of camera techniques, including canted frames, low-angled, high-angled, and close-up shots, as

well as camera distance. The employment of such methods not only enables the spectator to gain

a thorough understanding of the numerous characters but also aids in our comprehension of the

relationships between them and how each of these elements contributes to the movie's underlying

theme of racism. The film's overall meaning and comprehension are improved by the use of

these quick camera movements, which further heighten racial tension.

Finally, the usage of cinematography is superbly exploited to depict character

connections, symbolize significant elements, and most importantly, underline the idea of racism

and racial tension as the primary and most pervasive themes in this movie.

The film, “City of God", has a narrative filming technique that immediately draws

viewers in. The film chose not to depict easily identifiable tourist or popular areas of the city that

would allow the audience to identify the city in which the film was set. This fact has a significant

impact. The use of creative camera techniques in the movie also significantly contributes to its

ability to draw in a broad international audience.

Despite being presented with a favela that is full of drugs, violence, and poverty, the

audience in The City of God is almost compelled to be drawn into this world, which appeals to a

wider audience. Although the inventive camera techniques used do not use the realist style that

was previously associated with movies dealing with social depredation, they do use recognizable

genre characteristics, but in a way that is more peculiar for that location. The City of God uses a

variety of camera angles to change the mood of a scene and convey different messages. The way

the movie is edited conjures up a world and an atmosphere that draws viewers in and takes them

to a location they have never been to.

The first scene begins with a pleasant ambiance of people dancing and playing music. It

is then viewed from the perspective of the chicken. Through this perspective, it seems as if the

chicken witnesses the sharpening of the blades and the slaughter of other chickens. The running

away of the chicken can be portrayed and interpreted as a representation of Rocket's attempt to

leave the gang scene. Furthermore, suspense is increased by the variety of camera perspectives.

The varying high and low perspectives emphasize how the city is haphazardly constructed from

several layers of homes, shacks, and roadways. As the chicken tries to flee, this moment

immerses the audience in a sense of anticipation, suspense, and anxiety.

Additionally, there are times when Lil Ze is holding a gun out in front of the audience,

giving the impression that they are about to be shot and killed. There are scenes where the

camera angle is from the perspective of the younger children looking up at the older children,

giving the impression that the younger children look up to them and aspire to be like them

because they cannot imagine any other option. Additionally, the shifting tones throughout time

have a big impact. Warmer tones from the 1960s are replaced by a frigid blue tint as time goes

on, symbolizing how the city has grown oppressive and unsafe until returning to the bright

daylight at the end.

All of these camera stances help to give the spectator a more realistic view of the story.

The intricate narrative design, quick editing, and soundtrack employed throughout the movie

give viewers a sense of how quickly life moves in the favela while also giving it a claustrophobic

atmosphere.