What Makes La Haine a Captivating Masterpiece (Video Essay)

I think everything that doesn't happen does matter, because it shows both the boredom and stupidity of their lives, stuck in this estate where there's nothing to do or having to visit the Paris metropole where they are aren't welcome and can't afford anything, winding up doing stupid stuff not from their own folly but enforced on them by the socio-geography. Also, it helps create the sense of the fall, the inevitable drift towards tragedy that day in their lives that may be about to end. They are sliding down a slope without seeing the cliff-edge, although they know there is one somewhere. France has built this situation they have to live in, and may die from. It also focusses on their friendship, their chit-chat that everyone does and forgets, but is actually the social glue holding them together.

And it allows time to take in the many forms of their structural oppression and alienation. The geographic segregation of their Banlieu from the "nice" Paris, it's concentric wall-like design facing inwards, with it's back to France and just a void and an underground car park in the middle. The economic alienation, the joblessness and low incomes helping trap the people inside. The violent over-policing, treating them as aliens and foreigners to be kept penned up away from Paris and the rest of France, including the institutional racism and Islamophobia. The personal alienation that manifests in aggression and defensive outbursts no matter where they are, but more noticeably among the "nice" Parisians from whom they are sundered culturally as well as geographically. They cannot socialise and mix freely with the opposite sex, because every good-looking girl at home is guarded by male relatives and their friends, so they lack the moderating influence of female company outside of sex. The genders are alienated as a byproduct of the class alienation and the cramped living conditions. Ultimately the boys' hostility reflects the implicit hostility of the city and the system towards them.

I watched this movie a while ago but the only thing that makes me think of so much is that ive never understood what the meaning behind the cow, i just kept thinking about it and never came up with something

Watched this movie in the 90’s and it definitely opened the world of independent movies to me

fire review sonny. this movie was fantastic

Watched this with no expectations like I do all movies, didn't watch the trailer knew nothing about it and its amazing

"the choice of 90s clothes"??? it was made in the 90s and set in the 90s

Gotta agree with you. Great movie .

‘La haine’ also is one of my favorite movies of all time. Also your video is very educational in general and in a film analytical POV. Keep up the good work!

I feel like the way Paris is portrayed is the extent to which the three have access to the city as troubled youth from the developmental projects. Of course the city still has this beautiful and romantic side portrayed in other films but there is this disparity due to class struggle that denies those from the projects access to the romantic side and shows the side of the city they are thrown into by their socio-economic position.

thank you for this video analysis

I think this film really kicked off Vincent Castel's career

well made video love this review and this film a lot

seen it when it came out, still my nr2 favorite movie ever.

Really good review great vid well done 👍

Ce film a parfaitement restitué la glande,la zone, être enfermé dehors ...

nice,

This is the only movie to make me cry

Hi ! I am from Marseille (South France) I really appreciated your analysis, this film was part of my political training, your analysis is meticulous. Bravo !

Great take on this amazing firm. Much respect to you for including Do the Right Thing. I was born in New York (like Do the right thing) and my family lived in Paris before NYC, (like La Haine). I’ve always knew the similarities of both places, and that’s why I love and appreciate both movies.

The scene with Vinz talking to his reflection in the mirror was filmed with Vincent playing the reflection and another actor playing the back of his head and body so the camera wasn’t caught in the reflection. Some clever work. Amazing movie and never gets old.

Timeless Masterpiece - forever

watching this after France riots over the 16 Algerian kid who got killed by police xd

Nice one!

what an amazing review!

I love how relevant this is atm

a timeless film - even in the 21st century

History repeats itself in June 2023 in Paris 😢

A small but fascinating detail.

The movie begins with Said opening his eyes meaning he is deciding to open his eyes to the cruel world he lives in. However, the movie ends with Said closing his eyes, right before the trigger was pulled making it feel like he regrets opening his eyes in the first place. It is such a nice loop.

This is extremely well-made. Your examination of the movie is so packed with meaning, in just 7 minutes!

It’s so tragic that Vinz finally learns that hate just leads to more hate so and so there’s no point in it, giving Hubert the gun because he didn’t want to use it anymore. Only to briefly afterwards to be shot by a police officer. The cycle continues. La haine attire la haine

Great video man I love the movie one of my favourites

Really interesting analysis

I'd say the Grunwalski story could also have been added to represent Hubert. The train is opportunities outside of the banlieue, a better life, no prison etc, and the trousers being pulled up are morals, sticking up for others, trying to fix the system etc. Every time he does one of these things, the train gets a little bit further away. The train leaves him for dead, seen when he eventually (possibly) avenges Vinz (due to his morals) - he is no doubt going back into prison, or dead... Such a good film!

I’d say it harkens back to the French New Wave. The obvious thing to say about that would be about the black and white colouring, but you can also say that it doesn’t shy away from social issues like police brutality, poverty, racial tensions and violence. And with its editing, sound design and cinematography, it’s not afraid to roughen things up.

This movie really shows the problems of society and politics in France and Paris. It’s so interesting!

For me, the best film of all time.

I've never seen a more unique film with so much depth. Despite not having a real plot, it says so much in such little time, both in terms of society & psychology; all the while captivating the audience right up until the end (best ever film ending too). Also the plot is as symbolically close to life as can be; many random events ended suddenly then its over. It encapsulates the human experience and its realism makes it beautiful/ugly and the same time. La Haine is so present it's timeless, despite being a clear time-capsule of the 90s. Then even with greyscale footage, the cinematography is as stunning as you'll ever see, the audio is great (particularly with its soundtrack), and the ever-present ticking clock-escalating in both speed & frequency-I think displays the main thesis of this film: time is running out, soon enough we all land.
It's just a shame I can never re-watch it for the first time again.

Sorry to spew but this video reminded of the film 👍defo earned a sub

Your delivery is a bit awkward bro, but great vid!

That movie is literally my childhood filmed in a movie, thats why i regard it as one of my fav movie of all time. Very fond of it, say it multiple times even in repeat just going down memory lane.

I agree!

best of the best

Banger of a vid. Glad to have found a new channel with solid and fresh film content

Great summary. This is the first of your videos I’ve watched, but I’ll be sure to look at others. As for La Haine, I agree with you that it’s an absolute masterpiece; one of the best films of the late C20th. I was lucky enough to see it in the cinema when it was released - yes, I’m ancient! - and it’s stayed with me for 28 years. I’m also lucky enough to speak pretty decent French, which adds another layer. Thanks

Nice breakdown of the film

Excellent analysis. I really enjoyed it! Keep them coming

My favorite aspect of the film is that the whole film is basically a loop. It starts with a riot/protests, then it begins with news coverage of someone dying due to police brutality, then it ends with someone else dying of police brutality, and it repeats over and over again.

Thank you Sonny. Keep it up

Informative review. Classic film recorded in 1994 and released in 1995

Brilliant video. Makes me wanna watch it again. Your reviews are thoughtful and excellently produced