Chunking Express and City of God opening sequence

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

Chungking Express:

One key message shown in the opening sequence is time. This is particularly important for Hong Kong due to them being a part of British Rule, however in 1997 Hong Kong was to be handed back to Chinese Rule. The film is set a few years before the handover, therefore hints at the worry for this event. This is shown through the mise-en-scene where a calendar and a clock are shown, suggesting an awareness and a countdown. Time is also shown through the editing in which the opening shots were filmed, then sped up, frames were taken out and then the sequence was slowed down. This created a blurred effect suggesting a very disjointed passage of time, showing time does not move the same for everyone. Scenes differ in pace, for example, Cop 223 is shown waiting for his food, where in another scene, the women in blonde wig, is counting american money in a fast paced sequence.

Globalisation is a frequently used message in the opening sequences. There is lots of global branding such as Coca Cola signs in English, showing the international success. Also, globalisation is shown through the sound with the variety of music types from Western to Oriental techno. Western culture is widely shown, particularly with the women in a blonde wig. Her costume and makeup was specifically chosen as part of the mise-en-scene in order to make her seem Westernised with blonde hair and lighter skin, typical of Western culture.

City of God:

One key message shown is hopelessness. This is shown in the opening sequences through the change of the mise-en-scene from the the opening in the modern Favela to the flashback in the Sixties. The drastic change between the two time periods shows a decline in society. The Favela in the sixties is open spaced with bright sunlight and rows of prefabs, whereas in the modern story, everything has been built upon and replaced, possibly due to damage by shootings. The modern Favela is densely packed with busy streets and high rise homes, held together with sheets of metal. The change is society is also shown through the sound where in the sixties not a lot of music is used, perhaps suggesting the calm serenity of the Favela then. This opposes to the modern Favela where loud, fast-paced music is played over the actions of preparing the chickens. As well as this, there is immediate sounds of a knife being sharpened, representing the violence and crime which frequently takes place. The deterioration of society shows a hopelessness for the people of the Favela, as the livelihood there is getting worse with crime and violence.