1 JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGLISH STUDIES, Vol. 4, No.1, February 2021

ANALYSIS VIOLENCE IN CITY OF GOD FILM DIRECTED BY

Marudut Bernadtua Simanjuntak1, Irma Rasita Gloria Barus2, Ira Resmayasari3

Faculty of Humanity-University of Indonesia1 Vocational School, IPB University2,3 Email: [email protected]

E-ISSN : 2615-3092 P-ISSN : 2615-3084

Abstract. Fernando Meireles' "City of God" is one of the most highly regarded crime films in the early 2000s. The criminal genre, especially in this film, shows many scenes of violence against children, women, and the community around Rio de Jeneiro. The violent scene continues from the beginning to the end of the film. The purpose of this research is that the writers want to analyze the violence contained in the film City of God, both physical and psychological violence. This research uses the descriptive quantitative content analysis method which aims to study and analyze communication and movie scenes systematically and objectively to the messages seen. The results of this study indicate that the film City of God shows quite massive scenes of physical and psychological violence against fellow gangsters, drug dealers, minors, innocent families, and even harassment in the form of rape against women. The conclusion from the analysis of this research is the need for several elements of society to be involved in studying film, sensitivity to violence, and the need for age restrictions in watching certain films, including the film City of God.

Keywords: violence, physical and psychological, film analysis, City of God

http://sastra.unifa.ac.id/journal/index.php/jes/index

INTRODUCTION

The film is a narrative depiction of the actors so that the audience can more human life presented through the roles of the sympathize. These characteristics are what players in various action scenes supported by differentiate one actor from another. The nature visual effects and accompanying music. Movies of the actors is an essential element in film use a combination of language, sound, and literature. These characteristics are transcribed images. Basically, a film is formed from two by the director as the values of interests, desires, elements, namely narrative and cinematic emotions, and moral principles that each actor elements, both of which are closely related. has. Thus, these characteristics can be interpreted According to Pratista (2008), the narrative as manifestations. These manifestations could be element explains aspects or themes of the story, finding completely in cohesion between an actor such as characters, problems, conflicts, location, and his character. The mention of a certain time, and others. Unlike the narrative element, actor's name can directly represent this the cinematic element explains the technical representation. According to Nurgiyantoro aspects of a film's production, including mise-en- (2015), the name of a character can represent a scene, cinematography, editing, and sound. This set of characteristics, habits, and even traits. The film has various characters as actors in the actor presents films as imaginative works that are storyline. The film's cast is shown live and can able to reveal aspects of humanity deeply with be watched by the audience. The film actors subtle presentations. Not only as a means of acted on the screen in front of the audience, entertainment, but film is also a form of literary accompanied by the continuous accompaniment work that depicts aspects of life and character of the film on the white screen. values that educate life and direct the audience The appearance of the actors will about noble characters that are good to follow describe the characteristics of each actor. and bad ones to avoid. According to Rosida (2019), powerful sentences Films often deal with cultural cases in or speech acts can also represent the actions of human life. According to Ratna (2004), caste Analysis Violence in City of God – Marudut Bernadtua S., et al (1-6) 2 works, in this case including films, have the analysis. By analyzing content, a person becomes same object, namely humans and societies where able to analyze and describe communication and humans are cultural beings and social facts. The its forms systematically, objectively and results of recordings and memories of past events quantitatively, so that the messages in the film that are made into films show that literary works can be displayed. Someone can then better are rooted in certain cultures in society. The evaluate and describe trends or meanings in films existence of films makes it possible to position with content analysis (Kriyantono, 2010). them in a socio-cultural document. Films receive Uniquely, violent scenes that occur in a influence from society and are otherwise able to film can increase the audience's interest, because influence society. Judged from its essence, the the scenes are beautiful and can create a film is a combination of moving pictures and sensation of pleasure (Haryatmoko, 2007). words. Films are also a form of mass media that Violence, which has become commonplace and has mass characteristics, namely the existence of entertaining, can reduce sensitivity to violence the film is made so that it can be watched by and does not rule out the possibility of reaching many people (Palapah and Syamsudin, 1986). and affecting everyday life. The audience There are also various sources of topics and becomes increasingly insensitive to characters themes that inspire the making of a film, some who are victims of suffering in the film take inspiration from social conditions (social (Haryatmoko, 2007). One of the films that reality), some take from personal experiences, featured violent scenes was the film "City of and some take inspiration from their own God". "City of God" is a 2002 Brazilian film fantasies. Some films do record the realities that directed by Fernando Meirelles, released in the exist in society and then project them onto the country in 2002 and worldwide in 2003. It is screen (Sobur, 2004). The rapid and massive adapted from the 1997 novel "Cidade de Deus" development of communication technology written by Paulo Lins, but the plot is based on makes films widely consumed by people today, real life. A film depicting organized crime on the regardless of whether they belong to the upper- outskirts of , that took place middle-class or the lower class. The audio and around the 1960s and 1980s. This film genre is a visuals in the film as well as the time limit in the crime genre that involves various aspects of film make this film quite attractive to the public crime and depicts the war of drug dealer Li'l Zé (Bayu & Winastwan, 2004). Therefore, to and his friends. The crime genre itself is a genre strengthen this opinion Sobur (2004) also argues that is slightly different from other genres in that films can be a communication tool capable general, but many are in world films. Criminal of influencing various levels of society, because genre, the crime that worked and didn't work out the strength and ability of films reach many for justice. This genre often includes tragedies social segments so that filmmakers also have the that contain violent scenes of murder scenes and potential to influence viewers. is able to provoke a sense of justice for justice in Films could display various things that a film through dialogue and approach (Kuiper, can allow violent scenes to occur. Basically, 1995). violence can be divided into two, namely As of 2019, Fernando Meirelles has physical violence and psychological (psychic) directed 13 films and 6 television shows. In violence. Physical violence means injuring the addition, he is also often nominated as best human body, and fatalities can lead to murder. director at the Cannes Film Festival, Golden Meanwhile, psychological violence is aimed at Globe Award, an Academy Award. reducing the mental or brain abilities of the (folha.uol.com.br). This film tells the story of a interlocutor (Galtung in Windhu, 1992). This dark life in an isolated slum around Rio de violence can be quickly identified with the naked Janeiro Brazil which is depicted by Lil Ze's life or implied. In other words, there is some as a delinquent who develops into a gangster violence that has implied meaning in it, so it leader. "City of God" has received various needs further analysis to find out whether the awards on an international scale, and received scene is part of violence or not. In addition, not good ratings. The film has received good marks all audiences were able to understand well the from film critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes' message content conveyed by the film (Rivers, rating, "City of God" has a 91% rating based on 2003). Scenes in a film that require more reviews from 162 critics, with an average rating analysis, such as scenes of violence, for example, of 8.33 / 10. At Metacritic, the film holds a score can be analyzed using content or content of 79%. Taken from Empire magazine, this film 3 JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGLISH STUDIES, Vol. 4, No.1, February 2021 also ranked third in "50 Films to See Before You tools/weapons, assaulting, and killing. Die", and ranked No. 7 in "The 100 Best Films of Psychological violence can be in the form of World Cinema". Apart from that, the film is also screaming, intimidating, cursing, threatening, ranked No. 6th on The Guardian's list of "25 Best demeaning, controlling, stalking, spying. Action Films". In general, "City of God" tells There are two previous studies that were about the brutality of Lil Ze from childhood to used as references in this study, both studies adulthood in his life as a gangster. This film examined scenes of violence in films with takes place in the slums around Rio de Janeiro quantitative content analysis methods. The first which is isolated from the city center. Lil Ze and study entitled "Analysis of the Content of his friends had to clash with the police and even Physical and Psychological Violence in Bong gangs around the city. This film contains Joon-Ho's Film Parasite" by Glenkevin, et al. elements of violence where the law is barely 2019. The second research entitled "Analysis of visible. This film ends with the death of Lil Ze, Violence Content in the Film Warkop DKI who ironically is not killed by the police or his Reborn: Boss Crickets! Part 1 "by Lukas gangster enemies but rather children who learn to Hartono, et al in 2018. Apart from these two become gangsters. studies, the author also refers to a study entitled" Morality Aspects of The Main Characters in RESEARCH METHOD Beautiful Mind Movie and City of God "written The methodology is a strategy that will by the author in his Masters Thesis at Indraprasta be used to get answers to a problem through University, PGRI. . This is related to the research data. This research uses descriptive existence of the same corpus used in this study, quantitative content analysis method. According namely the film "City of God". to Kriyantono (2010), content analysis is a FINDINGS and DISCUSSIONS method that aims to study and analyze communication systematically, objectively, and Findings quantitatively on the message seen. The corpus is The film "City of God" tells the story of Fernando Meirelles's 2002 film "City of God" a dark life in a remote slum near Rio de Janeiro, which lasts for 130 minutes, with samples of Brazil. Lil Ze's life depicts her growing up as a violent scenes in the film "City of God". drug gang boss who often clashes and shoots According to Eriyanto (2011), the fight with police and rival drug dealers. This film function of film is; as a science, a means of is dominated by the story of Lil Ze and his socialization and inheritance of values, a means crimes. The film was directed by Fernando of cultural development, and the development of Meirelles and stars: existing conditions. According to Javandalasta  Leandro Firmino da Hora as Li'l Zé, a (2014), films have four strengths, namely; make gangster and drug lord, is a power-hungry emotional connections, illustrate visual contrasts, sociopath who takes sadistic pleasure in communicate to the audience's thoughts, and killing. He changed his name to Zé Pequeno motivate viewers to make changes. The film during the Candomblé ceremony, an African genres, namely; action, science-fiction, comedy, negro religion. horror, drama, and romantic genres. In relation to  Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket, the main this film study, according to Sunarto (2009), narrator, a quiet and honest boy who dreams there are two types of violence, namely; physical of becoming a photographer, and the only violence and psychological abuse. character who manages to prevent himself Physical violence is violence that hurts from being drawn into drug trafficking and or injures the body of another person and the murder cases during gang wars. His real consequences can be seen with the naked eye, name is Wilson Rodrigues. while psychological violence is violence that  Seu Jorge as Knockout Ned, a charismatic hurts a person's psychology or psychology and its man. Zé raped Ned's girlfriend and later consequences cannot be seen with the naked eye. killed several members of Ned's family. Ned The indicator of violence that will be used is joins Carrot in seeking revenge against Zé. violence in the theory of Harsono Suwardi  Phellipe Haagensen as Benny, Zé's old friend (1993) which has been adjusted by the author and City of God drug dealer. He is a friendly regarding the analysis of this film. Physical man who ultimately wants to live an honest violence includes hitting, slapping, choking, life and escape his circle of friends with Ze. kicking, injuring with bare hands or with Analysis Violence in City of God – Marudut Bernadtua S., et al (1-6) 4

 Matheus Nachtergaele as Carrot, a small- Dice's atrocity, there are scenes of friendship and scale drug dealer who is friendly to Benny orgies as well as laughter that usually involves but is constantly threatened and bullied by Rocket. Surprisingly, this actually shows Li'l Zé. Dice committing psychological violence by  Jonathan Haagensen as Shaggy, Benny's speaking harshly or demeaning people which older brother who is also the leader of the happens when he is having fun with his gang Tender Trio. The Tender Trio is a group of friends. thieves who share the profits with the The narrator of the City of God film, residents of City of God during Ze's Rocket, is shown in periodic intervals to inform childhood. the audience of the upcoming sequences. Often  Alice Braga as Angélica, Rocket's friend and the repetition of several important scenes that lover, and later Benny's boyfriend, who were previously incomplete is supplemented to motivates Benny to leave a life of crime. reinforce the previous sequence. Therefore, the  Charles Paraventi as Uncle Sam's Uncle order is not arranged chronologically but is Sam, who sells firearms trafficked to Lil Ze intertwined based on the context in which Li'l and his friends. Dice's story and the scenes are described. By  Luiz Carlos as Touro, an honest policeman using this method, the film director removes the who protects civilians who are involved in tension of watching a two-hour film that shows a the drug dealer war. lot of violence that actually reminds the audience  Maurício Marques as Melonhead, a corrupt of the previous violence. In addition, by using cop who secretly compromises with drug this technique, the director can seem to show lords. how Li'l Dice is shown as an interesting and exciting actor/character to watch. Indirectly, the The development of the brutality of Li'l audience even seemed to admire Li'l Dice despite Dice or also known as Li'l Ze, from the seed of a his actions of brutality. 10-year-old gangster to the leader of a cold- The film City of God contains so many blooded, cruel and ambitious group, is shown subplots of crime in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. very sadistically about how he enjoyed the Depicting films of helplessness, misery, and the killings he committed. However, this cruelty did inevitable murder make viewers able to justify not come to Li'l Dice as a result of her violence. For example, the despair of the poor experience. Li'l Dice's violent scenes seemed to people of the City of God made them lose be her natural talent. After the Tender Trio leaves perspective on all moral considerations as an act the motel that is being robbed, Li'l Dice fulfills of survival. The film was asignificant his evil desire to kill people by shooting the achievement for director Fernando Meirelles and motel staff and the guests in their respective his team. Although the film is an original film in rooms. The merciless and unprovoked killings of which all the cast is Brazilian, its universal these people were subject to the violence that appeal allows it to influence audiences in any followed. It is difficult to understand what the country they are in. moral lesson is from all the series of execution The inadequacy of this film to be scenes by Li'l Dice. On the side of the audience watched by female audiences is further supported who likes action films, understanding the by a certain scene, where Li'l Ze rapes the wife massacres committed by Li'l Dice is a special joy of a bus conductor. This made the bus conductor for the audience. In this sense, it is difficult to very angry and forced him to take revenge. Once understand the contribution of film to positive again, this sub-plot contributes to depictions of social change. violence that already teach violence that is Li'l Dice's action and scenes still reciprocated with violence as if it were justified. continue. From his first victim with the Nevertheless, this film is a tragedy at its core, assassination of Rocket's older brother to later although some of the events are less tragic. In it, becoming a drug dealer, leader of big gangs to the main character, namely Li'l Ze fully accepts his ruthless control of drug cartels, a consistent violence and quick death in return for his way of and coherent picture of Li'l Dice's crime life. Even more tragic, Li'l Ze was killed by a emerges. Throughout Li'l Dice's ade, the group of children by being shot with pistols narrative alternates between harmless to evil. For repeatedly. example, for every gruesome scene from Li'l 5 JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ENGLISH STUDIES, Vol. 4, No.1, February 2021

Discussions Lil 'Ze to be taken, prisoner. Because Boss Jorge looked down on Lil 'Ze who said that he was a Violent scenes shown in films are not stupid and brave brat while speaking always considered a bad thing. Fernando condescendingly, Lil'Ze immediately shot Boss Meirelles, as the director of the film City of God, Jorge dead and at the same time took control of for example, made violent scenes in the film the drug storage and trading base where Boss because he wanted to present a message, Jorge was in power before. especially regarding the differences in gangster Courageous and steel-minded based on class and social strata in Brazil. These the film City of God, think that they are stronger deliberately made violent scenes can draw the and more worthy of life than cowards, and this emotional aspect of the audience so that the disrespectful treatment scene can cause an audience can connect the conditions in which upheaval from a person or group that leads to they live with what is in the film. conflict. Class differences will certainly be Violent scenes which are projected strengthened by the presence of such behavior. through this film can also reflect a value. The So even though the scenes shown are indeed scenes are taken in the scene are demeaning violent scenes, if they are projected onto the other people in the film City of God. The head screen with a specific purpose and message in gangster Shaggy who is a family of rich and accordance with the goals of the filmmaker, hardworking people has said several times that these violent scenes can even be a means to Li'l Ze, is a stupid and useless kid. Shaggy's describe something that is really important to friend, Zeddy who is also a member of the show. Tender Trio, also seemed to say the same thing Although violent scenes in films are not while cheering Li'l Ze's head. This can be seen always considered a bad thing, watching them from the scene where the four of them plan to continuously can create insensitivity in the rob the motel and Li'l Ze is asked to wait behind audience. These violent scenes are often featured the fence. Then in another scene, there is a scene in films so that over time they are considered as where the members of the Tender Trio speak the art form of the film itself. The audience will harshly to the little children who seem to have then perceive the violent scene as something the guts to become gangster members. ordinary and even entertaining because the The form of a condescending scene uses violent scenes that have been considered as art harsh words and interspersed with head-plucking forms in the film also create a sensation in the on the characters in the film City of God, wants audience. The sense of sensitivity towards to reflect a condition that brave people and victims of violence, for example, is reduced. So cowards are different. The brave men would not it is important for the filmmaker to determine the need to wait for them to be recruited by the mafia right age limit so that these violent scenes can be or gangsters, but they used their reckless intent as watched wisely. they were considered champions when the proceeds of their loot were distributed among the CONCLUSIONS poor in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Unlike the This study aims to explain the scenes of cowards who are unable to fight their fears and physical and psychological violence in Fernando only want to be oppressed by the rich and Meirelles' film City of God. So based on the educated in the slum area. Apart from that, the results and discussion above, the conclusions of scenes of gathering, hiding, and sharing the loot this study are as follows: could only be done by the brave. In other words, a. The film City of God features a fair amount this film shows that brave and cowardly do not of physical and psychological abuse. The live in the same environment. They only live side violence that dominates is physical violence by side with the poor and cowards in the same mostly done by Lil'Ze, and the form of environment and are waiting for the loot of the violence that also appears is screaming and gangsters to be presented as both a hero and a belittling other people while simultaneously savior. flapping/hitting the head. This is followed by Apart from that, the scenes degrading psychological violence, in the form of other people in this film also have a relationship berating, saying harsh and threatening words. with other scenes, namely the murder scene. This psychological violence is often carried Jorge had previously heard of when he was out by Lil 'Zed and his gangster members to hiding when his gangsters were approached by other gangster rivals, especially in Analysis Violence in City of God – Marudut Bernadtua S., et al (1-6) 6

connection with the control of the drug trade Glenkevin, dkk. (2019). Analisis Isi Kekerasan Fisik and buying firearms. dan Psikologis dalam Film Parasite karya b. The physical and psychological violence in Bong Joon-Ho.” Jurnal Universitas Udayana- the film City of God is mostly committed by Medium Vol. 1 No. 2 (2019) men. The violence that is mostly perpetrated Haryatmoko. (2007). Etika Komunikasi (Manipulasi Media, Kekerasan, dan Pornografi). by men is physical violence and is often Yogyakarta: Kanisius. interspersed with the pronunciation of harsh, Javandalasta, Panca. (2011). 5 Hari Mahir Bikin degrading words towards small children and Film. Jakarta: Java Pustaka Group. people who are considered cowards. Other Johan Galtung. (1999). Cultural Violence. New York: violence that is often shown is a gun pointing St. Martin’s Press. violence and threats. Kristianto, B. (2013). The Notion of the Body and the c. Mixed violence between physical and Path to Healing. International Journal of psychological violence is also shown in the Religion & Spirituality in Society, Volume 2, film City of God, which is exacerbated by a Issue 3. woman who was raped with the laughter of Kriyantono, Rachmat. (2010). Teknik praktis riset komunikasi: disertai contoh praktis riset excessive euphoria by Lil'Ze. This scene media, public relation, advertising, komunikasi seems to show the helplessness of women organisaso, komunikasi pemasaran. when being bullied. In fact, the figure of the Jakarta:Kencana mother and wife is barely shown in this film. Kuiper, N. A., McKenzie, S. D., & Belanger, K. A. d. Apart from the violence perpetrated by (1995). Cognitive Appraisals and individual individuals, the film City of God also shows differences in sense of humor: Motivational violence perpetrated by a gang of Lilze and affective implications Personality and gangsters who kill a member of the Individual Differences. Personality and Knockout Ned family with a firearm. The Individual Differences, 19, 269-415. scene surrounds the house and shoots the Lukas Hartono, dkk. (2018). Analisis Isi Kekerasan dalam Film Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik house with a gun while laughing. This led Boss! Part 1. Jurnal E-Komunikasi, 6, 1-12. Knockout Ned to take the initiative to get his Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. (2015). Teori Pengkajian revenge by joining forces with rival Fiksi. Yogyakarta. Gadjah Mada University gangsters Lil 'Ze. Press. e. Violence in the film City of God reflects a Palapah dan Syamsudin. (1986). Studi Ilmu condition that occurs in areas of the third Komunikasi. Bandung: Universitas world, namely areas that are not conditioned Padjadjaran. and criminal acts are controlled, which Pratista, Himawan. (2008). Memahami Film. strangely occurs around the big city of Rio Yogyakarta: Homerian Pustaka de Janeiro. This situation is also exacerbated Ratna, N. K. (2004). Teori, Metode, dan Teknik Penelitian Sastra. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar. by the almost no role of the police in fighting Rivers, W. L. (2003). Media Massa dan Masyarakat crime. Ironically, what happened in several Modern. Jakarta: Kencana. scenes, the police accepted bribes in Rosida, Ana. (2003). Indirect Speech Act Analysis In smoothing the transactions of drug dealers. “In Time” Movie. Journal Of Advanced In addition, Lil 'Ze, before a few minutes of English Studies. his death by the gunfire of small children, Simanjuntak, Marudut. (2018). Morality Aspects of was seen a scene where the police extorted The Main Characters in Beautiful Mind Movie all of Lil' Ze's property as a condition of and City of God. Jakarta: Universitas police ignorance in the gangster war action. Indraprasta PGRI. Sunarto. (2009). Televisi, Kekerasan, & Perempuan. REFERENCES Jakarta: PT Kompas Media Nusantara. Suwardi, Harsono. (1993). Peranan Pers Dalam Alex Sobur. (2004). Semiotika Komunikasi. Bandung: Politik Indonesia. Jakarta: Pustaka Sinar Remaja Rosdakarya. Harapan. Eriyanto. (2011). Analisis Isi: Pengantar Metodologi Widago, M. Bayu dan Winastwan Gora S. (2004) . untuk Penelitian Ilmu Komunikasi dan Ilmu Bikin Sendiri Film Kamu. Yogyakarta : PD. ilmu Sosial Lainnya. Jakarta: Kencana Anindya.