Power

Power

1. La Haine

   • The police
     • Heavily armed and armoured
       • Constant presence, even if not constantly on camera
         • Appear suddenly
         • Police helicopters heard throughout
       • "You have guns, we only have stones"
         • Guns = power
     • Abuse of power
       • Bullying scene
     • However, depicted as pretty useless
       • Said's graffiti
   • Main characters
     • Vinz
       • Feels powerful with a gun
     • Hubert is more mature, Vinz is more childish, rebels against authority
       • Hubert uses words to exert influence
       • Vinz uses the threat of violence
   • Families
   • Power to change their circumstances?
   • The audience's power
     • Being free to fly around the banlieue
       • Being free to intrude on the characters' privacy

2. Tsotsi

   • The police
     • Powerless in townships
       • Eg. white detective's comment ("Shit") when he realises the baby has been taken into the township
       • However, they still manage to enter the township and break into Tsotsi's home
         • However, only with the help of Soekie
   • Tsotsi (David)
     • Is boss of a small gang
       • Aap is very obedient and relies heavily on Tsotsi
         • However
           • By the end of the film, after Boston is beaten up and Butcher is killed by Tsotsi, he leaves to join Fela
       • Boston is critical of Tsotsi, gets beaten up
         • However
           • Tries to leave Tsotsi's gang - doesn't idly let Tsotsi beat him up
       • However, other gangsters like Fela don't respect him
         • "Tsotsi" literally means "little gangster"
     • Has power to become a better person
   • Fela
     • Leader of a larger gang than Tsotsi's
       • Tsotsi only robs people, Fela has a business in stolen cars and scrap metal
       • Wears expensive gangster clothes

3. City of God

   • The police
     • Top of the food chain
       • Make money off drug war by selling weapons to opposing gangs
         • Only try to stop crime when it benefits them, eg. arresting Carrot for the media
           • However
             • Knockout Ned is easily rescued from police
             • Powerless against corruption
             • Ineffective and clumsy
               • Police kill innocent person thinking it's a member of the Tender Trio
                 • Worsen relations between police and the favela
               • Only manage to kill one member of the Tender Trio (wrongly)
   • Hoodlums
     • Lil Ze
       • Takes control of most of the favela, becomes rich
         • However
           • When he provokes the police they arrest him and take all his money
             • Suggests corrupt police are ultimately in control
           • Is ugly and can't get a girlfriend
             • Is insecure, envious of Knockout Ned
               • Only has one true friend (Benny), who dies
     • Carrot
       • Takes over part of the favela, becomes rich
       • Ex-soldier Knockout Ned makes him a serious threat to Lil Ze
       • Has other drug dealers working for him, eg. Blacky
       • However
         • Is arrested by the police as a present for the media
     • Tender Trio
       • Petty thieves
         • Young - still bossed around by their parents
           • Forced to disband
             • One is killed by police, another is killed by Lil Dice (young Lil Ze)
   • As the favela gets worse, taller, greyer buildings and darker lighting represent the characters' inability to escape