City of God -Film Form

How is the decline and deterioration shown in the film through the Mise-en-scene?

The decline and deterioration of the Favela's is portrayed through the Mise-en-scene in the opening scene by the City of God sign in the 70's, which is seen to be vandalised and covered in graffiti whereas in the flashbacks of the Favela in the 60's, the City of God sign is clean and free of vandalism which is a visual representation of the gradual decline and deterioration. This is also shown by the decline in the brightness around the Favela, represented in the scenes in the 60's where the houses around spread horizontally which the sun beams through where they're playing football. Whereas in the beginning scenes in the 70's the Favela is more dismal and dull as it is surrounded by the buildings which tower over the City of God,  emphasising the gradual deterioration of the Favela as minimal sunlight seeps through showing how dark the community has become. 

what are the main connotations behind the montage of shots which show L'il Dice become L'il Ze?

The montage shots of L'il Ze, where he is shooting people over the time whilst he is growing up, carries connotations that he is evil as he enjoys this by the smile shown when he shoots them also shown by his menacing laugh. This also shows that he is gradually becoming more out of control and therefore unstoppable leading to him gaining more power over people as they now fear him. Also the montage shots of L'il Dice shooting innocent people is at night, which carries connotations of death, darkness of the soul and loss of faith. Following this montage, it is shown that he is participating in a ritual in which he sells his soul to the devil, this carries connotations of darkness and evil as 'rituals' support the devil in comparison to the church which it is the opposite for what the rituals stand for - which is evil makings allowing L'il Dice to then become L'il Ze.