This document discusses the narrative structures of the films La Haine and City of God. It asks questions about the stages of City of God's narrative, how each film uses a circular narrative to comment on social issues, the narrative shapes and timeframes of the films, and the similarities in their narrative spaces. The document seeks to analyze how the directors constructed the narratives and why they chose those particular forms.

1. FM4 – URBAN STORIES: POWER, POVERTY & CONFLICT
What are the three stages of City of God’s Narrative?
1. .
2. .
3. .
What happens in each of these stages?
1.
2.
3.

2. How does La Haine use a ‘circular narrative’ to comment upon issues in French Society?
How does City of God use a ‘circular narrative’ to discuss the social issues of the city
itself?
Pick one scene or ‘cycle’ from each film that you could use in an exam answer to
support your points

3. Narrative Shape
La Haine adopts a...
City of God adopts a...
Why did the directors choose these Narrative Forms?

4. Narrative Time
What Devices are used to demonstrate the passage of time and inform the audience?
Why do you think La Haine is set over a twenty four hour period?

5. Why do you think City of God is set over a 20 year period?
Narrative Space
What similarities can we draw between the ‘narrative space’ of both La Haine and City
of God?