I thought it would be a fitting idea that my first review for CoP would be that of my favourite movie of all time: La Haine. A film that has made a profound impression on me and which I consider a true gem in my DVD collection. Quite a claim coming from someone like me who dislikes comparing movies with one another, especially when they belong to different genres. On the other hand, I could not think of another movie that provokes similar strong emotions as this film does with me.
Yes, it’s a French movie, but besides being entirely shot in black & white there is nothing pretentious about it. The lack of colour adds to the intensity of the movie and cinematography and may as well be symbolic for the lack of a colourful life/future. The first time I saw this movie, I initially thought I was looking at one of those dramatised documentaries. Incidentally, that is the best compliment one could give this film. Its grim depiction of the Parisian suburbs and its haunting, depressing atmosphere are so realistic, one would believe the story and the characters to be true. Having seen and experienced this couleur locale myself only added to the level of realism and the actuality behind it.
The story tells about three friends who live in a dreary suburb near Paris: Vinz (played by Vincent Cassel) as the Jew with the short fuse, Hubert (played by Hubert Koundé) as the weary ‘black’ and Saïd (played by Saïd Taghmaoui) as the Arab who acts as a peace dove between the two and provides the comic relief. These three unlikely friends for-better-and-for-worse are followed throughout 24 hours of one day. Their friendship and personal struggles are painted on a background of violence, racism, bottled-up rage and the dismal situation of the suburbs. Next to their strong camaraderie they are bound by their unpredictable fate. The mantra throughout the story is therefore: “jusqu’ici, tout va bien” (up ’til now, everything’s fine).
Young director Mathieu Kassovitz received great critical acclaim, but was also fiercely attacked in his home country for his presumed police-bashing. This was provoked by his unflattering depiction of the French capital’s police force, in which he was more than merely brushing the surface of the actual situation. Academy Award winner Jodie Foster (who happens to have a degree in French literature) ardently championed the young filmmaker’s talent and helped him release his movie in the US. Next to good looks, talent and brains, Miss Foster also gives proof of excellent taste.
The issues dealt with in this movie are of this time and depict not only the brooding cauldron of racial inequality and the social problems in the suburbs, but also act as a warning for the future. The cast of this movie is virtually the same as the ‘prequel’ Métisse, which has a much more light-hearted tone than La Haine.
This movie is an absolute must-see, maxing out all the stats on my board:
Yes, it’s a French movie, but besides being entirely shot in black & white there is nothing pretentious about it. The lack of colour adds to the intensity of the movie and cinematography and may as well be symbolic for the lack of a colourful life/future. The first time I saw this movie, I initially thought I was looking at one of those dramatised documentaries. Incidentally, that is the best compliment one could give this film. Its grim depiction of the Parisian suburbs and its haunting, depressing atmosphere are so realistic, one would believe the story and the characters to be true. Having seen and experienced this couleur locale myself only added to the level of realism and the actuality behind it.
The story tells about three friends who live in a dreary suburb near Paris: Vinz (played by Vincent Cassel) as the Jew with the short fuse, Hubert (played by Hubert Koundé) as the weary ‘black’ and Saïd (played by Saïd Taghmaoui) as the Arab who acts as a peace dove between the two and provides the comic relief. These three unlikely friends for-better-and-for-worse are followed throughout 24 hours of one day. Their friendship and personal struggles are painted on a background of violence, racism, bottled-up rage and the dismal situation of the suburbs. Next to their strong camaraderie they are bound by their unpredictable fate. The mantra throughout the story is therefore: “jusqu’ici, tout va bien” (up ’til now, everything’s fine).
Young director Mathieu Kassovitz received great critical acclaim, but was also fiercely attacked in his home country for his presumed police-bashing. This was provoked by his unflattering depiction of the French capital’s police force, in which he was more than merely brushing the surface of the actual situation. Academy Award winner Jodie Foster (who happens to have a degree in French literature) ardently championed the young filmmaker’s talent and helped him release his movie in the US. Next to good looks, talent and brains, Miss Foster also gives proof of excellent taste.
The issues dealt with in this movie are of this time and depict not only the brooding cauldron of racial inequality and the social problems in the suburbs, but also act as a warning for the future. The cast of this movie is virtually the same as the ‘prequel’ Métisse, which has a much more light-hearted tone than La Haine.
This movie is an absolute must-see, maxing out all the stats on my board: