Opening Sequence of Chungking Express and City of God

How do the opening sequences of Chungking Express communicate some of the key messages of the film, refer to micro elements in your response.

From the opening sequence of Chungking Express, one of the main key messages that is communicated is the message of time. 

• This is communicated through the use of cinematography, camera work and editing. 
• In the very opening scene of the film, during the chase scene, we see the fast pace nature of time whilst an action is being is carried out. 
• The time in the police officers world goes very quickly when he is carrying out a chase on a criminal. This is shown through the use of editing, the editing is used in this shot to show the speed time is travelling at. This is done through the film makers film the shot, speed it up, remove frames and then slow it back down. Giving it the notion that time is moving very quickly but everything is shown very slowly. 

• Also the message of time is also communicated in the opening sequence, when the police officer is stood in the take away waiting for his food. 
• In this scene, we see the officer stood waiting aimlessly, staring into space and having a pointless conversation with the owner about one of the girls who works in the take away. 

• Also through the message of time in the opening sequence, the editing of the sequence shows how fast time moves on a build up to something (handover of Hong Kong to China). In the scene when the western female is counting out the money for the smugglers it is done in a very fast paced way, the ending makes the counting look very snappy and fast. 

From the opening sequence of Chungking Express, another main key message that is communicated is the message about globalisation.

• This is communicated through the time being shown throughout the entirety of the film, and the importance time holds in the film.
• This is also shown through the back ground of the film as it is filmed on the run up to handover of Hong Kong to China from Britain. 
• This is also shown through the use of sound, as the main sound heard in the opening sequence is the sound of planes flying over head. Shows how Hong Kong has become a global travel hub. 
• Globalisation is also show through sound, by the choice of music that is used in the opening sequence. In the opening sequence we hear a range of music from oriental techno, to western pop music, to Indian music. 
• It is also shown through the mise-en-scene, and the addition of western brands shown around the city. Including McDonalds and Coca Cola.

From the opening sequences, what evidence is there of the film as a 'new wave' product?

Define what a new wave film is.

A new wave film breaks away from the conventions of the mainstream movement which pre - existed it. New wave is considered by many film writers as an oppositional. New waves are usually associated with the film movement of a country.

The evidence which suggests that Chungking Express is a New Wave film:

• Everything is filmed in one place.
• It doesn't follow a narrative pattern, pay more attention to the mise-en-scene rather than the script. (Chimneys)
• Doesn't contain well known actors. 
• No specific genre.
• Low Budget costs.
• Natural lighting.
• Handheld camera.
• Unpredictable sound.
• Unorganised editing.
• Uneven tone.
• Elliptical editing.
• Limited emphasis on causes, effects or events.

How does the opening sequence of City of God communicate key messages of the film, refer the micro features.

One of the key messages communicated through the opening sequence of City of God is the message of Hope.

• The message of Hope is communicated through the opening sequence of City of God, this is through the use of the mise-en-scene.
• This message is communicated through the brightness of the favela, during its early years, it is a wide open space, with space for children to play, the use of the bright sunshine, white houses and the use of the light brown ground helps to add to the brightness of the favela. 
• Through the use of the brightness, shows how the lightness of the favela corresponds with the type of crime that happens throughout the opening sequence. This includes the hold up of the gas truck in the opening, this form of crime communicates the community spirit that is within the favela.
• The brightness of the favela, helps to communicate this as it helps to show the decline in the favela and the form of crime later on in the film.

Another key message that is communicated through the opening sequence of City of God is the message of Generational Recycling. 

• The message of Generational Recycling is shown in the opening sequence through the Tender Trio and Li'l Dice. 
• The Tender Trio are the first gang shown in the film, from the crimes we see them commit they are a gang who are seen as lovable rouges, and are in direct comparison to the gangs shown later on in the film. 
• From the Tender Trio we also see Li'l Dice get his first taste of the violent gang lifestyle, which then contributes to his violence later in the film. 
• The generational recycling is shown as a downward spiral of each gang learning and developing on the ways of the gang before, this is shown as the Tender Trio passes their ways onto Li'l Dice's gang who then develop the violence and finally they pass their ways onto the Runts who then develop the violence later on in the film. 

Also a key message that is communicated through the opening sequence of City of God is the message of Hopelessness. 

• The message of Hopelessness is shown in the opening sequence through the use of the City of God sign.
• Within the opening scenes when we see the favela in its early years the sign looks brand new, without a scratch on it. Whereas when we see the sign in present day, it is covered in graffiti and has bullet holes in it.
• The sign shows the hopeless decline in the lifestyle in the favela, and it seems to be on a constant decline throughout the entirety of the film.