OPENING SCENE

 Cinematography 

The film starts with cold, blue, dark lighting which reflects the effect and impact of drugs and crime. There are little flashes of sunlight but this sunlight isn't the warm type up sunlight we are used to, this sunlight is quite white and cold; the complete opposite of warm and cozy. In order to limit the amount of light we see, there are many close-ups which stop up from seeing the sky. When we are introduced to Lil' Z, the shot used is a close up which gives up the feeling that he is in out face and his introduction is quite full on, this gives the impression of a big personality. The close up also presents Lil' Z as an important character and focuses us on him. 

Editing 

The editing as the start is kinetic/ fast which gives the film a fast pace. It is also extreme and very visible to the audience. In the opening, just like throughout the rest of the film, there is a flash forward which creates dramatic irony in the way that as an audience, we know what coming but the characters of the film do not. Also the film is edited to the music which gives it slight rhythm. 

Mise - en - scene

One of the first props we see is a knife which introduces the ideology of violence. Also the setting is urban. Other props we see include the gun and the camera which we know is a very important prop throughout the movie. There is a big link between the gun and the camera as both hold great importance, both make a similar noise and both shoot in one way or another. The chicken is important as it represents violence and escape. They are chasing the chicken, much like gangs chase people in certain situations. The chicken trying to run away could also be a representation of all the kids trying to run away from the violence. Blood is also shown which is another way of introducing the main themes and ideologies to the film;  violence 

Sound 

The sound of the knife is an additional way of bringing the theme of violence into the film. We can hear street noise which is a way of representing the urban life. Moreover we can hear traditional Brazilian music in the opening scene of the film which adds a bit of context to the film. Additionally, we also heard the sound of the camera taking a photo and the sound of a gun shot which can be seen as two similar sounds, this creates the link between the gun and the camera. 

Performance 

Lil' z is shown as an aggressive character through his performance and this is the first impression that we get. There is a casual use of guns which portrays them as almost pointless and meaningless in a way since they use them as if its nothing, Lil' Z pulls out his gun and shows it at the smallest inconvenience. Also a lot of characters have a gun which makes it seem like it isn't that hard to get one and they're not really special