It's not often a film truly crosses the boundary between entertainment and art, but everything about this film is so right, it comes across as poetry. The American name sucks, but apart from this 'La Haine' is perfect in every other way.Paris is often portrayed as a sexy, sophisticated, haute-culture paradise where the average mans chief worry is running out of Gitaines. Yet this film exposes its underbelly, the grim reality for the thousands of immigrants and unemployed who live in Parises suburbs and projects. Charting the lives of three youths during the Parisian riots, it asks tough questions about racism, inequality and police brutality.
The acting is superlative. Each of the three main actors seems to live their part. There is a real feeling of witnessing what is going on in their lives - the boredom, the anger, as well as the hopes and aspirations of any adolescent.
Yet the main prize must go to Kassovitz. He directs, scripts, edits and acts in this film, and performs each job admirably. The direction is vivid, dynamic and beautiful, and the script captures the feeling of much of the youth in France at the time. But don't just take my word for it - when this film opened in France it caused real life riots.
The mood is devoid of the romanticism of many films about life on the wrong side of the tracks, and the black and white cinematography suits it down to the ground. This is a bleak and disturbing film, with a sense of doom and inevitability seeping into every frame. Yet it is also visually exciting, and packs a mean punch. Just thinking about the ending sends shivers down my spine.
I know that everyone who joins up with HBS bangs on about one film which they think is an 'undiscovered' classic, but I really can't recommend this highly enough. Everyone I know who has seen this loves it, and many say it has had a profound effect on them. As long as racial and social inequalities continue, this film will continue to be relevant.Yes, it's in Black & White, and I know it's in French, but that doesn't detract from its power in any way. You owe it to yourself to track this one down, it is one of the best films I've ever seen.
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