In Fernando Merirelles’ film, City of God, amateur photographer Rocket documents the lives of residents in a crime ridden Rio de Janeiro slum. Hired by a news agency to cover a lengthy gang war in his slum, Rocket finds financial stability through his photography. For Rocket, and for the gang members he photographs, the pictures further become a medium of power—whether that is the power to escape the slum or the power to show the public who rules over the slum. Gang leader Lil Ze, looking at Rocket’s photograph of Lil Ze holding a gun, views the image as evidence of his power, saying, “now everyone knows who’s the king of City of God.” While this film complicates the notion of artistic identity by focusing on the motif of power, Rocket’s photography remains inventive and thoughtful throughout the film, suggesting that for him, art and power may not be wholly separate concepts. 2002, Brazil, in Portuguese with English subtitles, 130 minutes.
Photography and Self: Gaining an Artistic Identity through the Camera Lens 