American Gangster

There were 4 characters in the opening scene. 2 African Americans and unknown and a white foreign. From the opening sequence there was no dialogue however the sounds of American sirens made it clear that the location was in an American city. I could then narrow it down to New York as the sidewalks were steaming, this is very common in films set in New York. The genre became clear that it was a crime/drama due to the music and the actions in the opening scene. The relationship between the two African Americans is clear as they are standing together facing the white foreigner who was being covered in petrol, it is clear that the white foreigner is an enemy of the others. From what the characters are wearing I could tell who was the man in charge. One of the Black males was wearing a hat and scarf watching over, i perceive him to be the person in charge. His second in command lights a cigar and then sets the white man on fire, he is under the command of the man in the hat. The director uses the man burning in fire as symbolism as the man in the hat becomes covered in flames, this suggests that he will "go up in flames" and will lose his power.