Representation of Representation of Drugs in City of God Drugs in City of God

By Jack MarchamBy Jack Marcham

How are drugs and drug culture represented? How are drugs and drug culture represented?

When Tiago is looking to feed his cocaine addiction he runs an errand for Benny When Tiago is looking to feed his cocaine addiction he runs an errand for Benny and goes and buys him some clothes without hesitation, this shows he will do and goes and buys him some clothes without hesitation, this shows he will do anything for a hit. anything for a hit.

The drug trade dictates most of the Favelas economy, the majority of the money The drug trade dictates most of the Favelas economy, the majority of the money within the slum has been made from the drug trade, this reinforces how within the slum has been made from the drug trade, this reinforces how significant drugs are in the slum. significant drugs are in the slum.

Almost everyone in the film smokes marijuana, it is not frowned upon nor Almost everyone in the film smokes marijuana, it is not frowned upon nor questioned, it is merely like smoking a cigarette to them. Which in a way questioned, it is merely like smoking a cigarette to them. Which in a way condones drug use. condones drug use.

Benny is a heavy cocaine user, however this is never addressed as a serious as its Benny is a heavy cocaine user, however this is never addressed as a serious as its not as a problem and is extremely common. not as a problem and is extremely common.

One of the central themes within the film is that drugs = power. The two drug One of the central themes within the film is that drugs = power. The two drug lords within the slum (Lil Ze’ and Carrot) have the most power and control what lords within the slum (Lil Ze’ and Carrot) have the most power and control what goes on thus reinforcing this. goes on thus reinforcing this.

When the film is in the 60’s time period drugs are more seen as a social thing, When the film is in the 60’s time period drugs are more seen as a social thing, where in the 80’s they are abused and used to gain power and feed greed. where in the 80’s they are abused and used to gain power and feed greed.

Even children in the film use drugs, as that is what they have become Even children in the film use drugs, as that is what they have become accustomed too living in the slum; everyone around them is doing it. accustomed too living in the slum; everyone around them is doing it.

Could we also say that drugs offer characters an ‘escape’ from reality - getting Could we also say that drugs offer characters an ‘escape’ from reality - getting high makes living in the favela more bearable and many think that it could be a high makes living in the favela more bearable and many think that it could be a way of physically getting out - make money and move to the country. way of physically getting out - make money and move to the country.

Scenes in relation to the representation of drugs/drug Scenes in relation to the representation of drugs/drug cultureculture

The scene where Rocket goes to purchase drugs from Lil Ze’ and the The scene where Rocket goes to purchase drugs from Lil Ze’ and the room is filled with people he ‘employs’ to prepare his drugs. Showing he room is filled with people he ‘employs’ to prepare his drugs. Showing he has a great amount of power through drugs. has a great amount of power through drugs.

Benny is often seen dealing to different people in exchange for money Benny is often seen dealing to different people in exchange for money or any other items. When Benny does it its almost shown as if he's doing or any other items. When Benny does it its almost shown as if he's doing them a favor and helping them out by supplying them with illegal them a favor and helping them out by supplying them with illegal substances. substances.

The scene where Benny and Angelica are in bed and are smoking a joint The scene where Benny and Angelica are in bed and are smoking a joint whilst having a deep chat, this gives and extremely calm and relaxed whilst having a deep chat, this gives and extremely calm and relaxed atmosphere implying that marijuana makes you calm and loving. atmosphere implying that marijuana makes you calm and loving.

Also when Benny exclaims to Lil Ze’ ‘I wanna live on a farm and listen to Also when Benny exclaims to Lil Ze’ ‘I wanna live on a farm and listen to rock and smoke pot.’ This once again makes it out to be a positive thing. rock and smoke pot.’ This once again makes it out to be a positive thing.

The scene called “The Story of the Apartment’ - shows the different The scene called “The Story of the Apartment’ - shows the different people who live in the apartment, it is the hub of drug activity and the people who live in the apartment, it is the hub of drug activity and the apartment only changes hand via violent which highlights the theme apartment only changes hand via violent which highlights the theme that drugs and violence are intrinsically linkedthat drugs and violence are intrinsically linked

What might be challenging about the representation of What might be challenging about the representation of drugs and drug culture?drugs and drug culture?

As I previously mentioned illegal drugs are not seen as harmful and As I previously mentioned illegal drugs are not seen as harmful and addictive chemicals, they are portrayed in a mostly positive way. addictive chemicals, they are portrayed in a mostly positive way. What is more emphasized is the repercussions of getting involved in What is more emphasized is the repercussions of getting involved in the drug trade that will eventually lead to death yet so many the drug trade that will eventually lead to death yet so many character fail to understand this.character fail to understand this.

In most films that include drug use it usually heavily documents the In most films that include drug use it usually heavily documents the downwards spiral of addiction, however this is not really addressed downwards spiral of addiction, however this is not really addressed except from when Tiago goes to Benny for a fix. except from when Tiago goes to Benny for a fix.

I think the representation of drugs in City of God also has a lot to do I think the representation of drugs in City of God also has a lot to do with the time period, in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s a lot of people were with the time period, in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s a lot of people were experimenting and discovering drugs and were not aware of the experimenting and discovering drugs and were not aware of the harmful side effects and this is displayed in the film with a lot of harmful side effects and this is displayed in the film with a lot of characters. characters.

A long running message within the film is also the power that drugs A long running message within the film is also the power that drugs bring, Lil Ze’ has an admirable amount of power in the slum because bring, Lil Ze’ has an admirable amount of power in the slum because of the drug trade. The message this sends to the audience is quite of the drug trade. The message this sends to the audience is quite negative as it does not really deter the audience from drugs but negative as it does not really deter the audience from drugs but emphasises the benefits of the drug dealing. emphasises the benefits of the drug dealing.

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What messages might the audience take from What messages might the audience take from this film about drugs and drug culture?this film about drugs and drug culture?

Overall drugs aren't portrayed particularly negatively, Overall drugs aren't portrayed particularly negatively, even our good character; Rocket, uses them who is even our good character; Rocket, uses them who is meant to be a symbol of hope. meant to be a symbol of hope.

Drugs are just part of everyday life within the slum and Drugs are just part of everyday life within the slum and everyone there is at ease with it as they don't know any everyone there is at ease with it as they don't know any different. different.

Drugs produce greed and greed eventually leads to Drugs produce greed and greed eventually leads to death. death.

Drugs are maybe used to ease the pain and struggle of Drugs are maybe used to ease the pain and struggle of the way of life they are subjected too. the way of life they are subjected too.

Drugs could be a metaphor for gang culture, at first its Drugs could be a metaphor for gang culture, at first its exhilarating but you eventually come crashing down.exhilarating but you eventually come crashing down.