Section 7: Massacre of the Innocents
This section shows us the two different ways in which Gabriel and Rodrigo attempt to follow the dictates of their own consciences. The way in which this section is presented to you is such that the director wants you to respond, to make judgements, to take sides and to form an opinion.
If might is right, then love has no place in the world … It may be so.
1.
The young Guarani boy hands Rodrigo a sword for the second time. Why does
Rodrigo's response differ from the first time?
2. How does the soundtrack support the scene in which Roderigo prepares to fight?
3. What is the effect of having no dialogue in this scene?
View clip for questions 4 and 5
4. Comment on the transition from the scene in San Carlos to the scene in San Miguel.
Note the tragic irony in Gabriel's firm conviction that "God is love".5. How does the director make the scenes of the massacre at San Miguel more appalling?
Discuss this in terms of lighting, sound and shot compositions.View clip for question 6 and 7
6. How do Gabriel and Rodrigo explain the positions they adopt in this situation?
7. In an analysis of the two scenes between Rodrigo and Gabriel, comment on the following:
-- the lighting
-- the sound
-- the camera angles
--the camera shots.View clip for questions 8 - 15
8. What is the point of the close-up of the army officer's face before the mission is torched?
9. Comment on the fact that one of the soldiers crosses himself just before the mission is destroyed.
10. Discuss in detail the way in which the soundtrack echoes the visual track in this scene.
11. In what way does the director convey a sense of cynicism of religion into this scene?
12. Why is it important that both Gabriel and Rodrigo die?
13.
What is each man doing as he is shot? Does this have any meaning in terms
of each man's principles?
14. What do the dramatic dissolves of the fire convey?
15. Why does the director use intercuts of children's faces in close-up throughout this section?
