La Haine

    La Haine is a 1995 French black-and-white drama/suspense film about riots in France during the 1980’s. It was written, co-edited, and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz. “La Haine” translates to “Hate” in english. This film is very dramatic but done in a way where there is no overkill. It is truthful and expresses themes that are relatable. The reason why the inner-city or “urban” french people are rioting at this time is because of police brutality. Sometimes police officers go on a power trip and feel since they are protected by law they can violate the right of the people violently and get away with it. This kind of case happens all around the world and people revolt. The problem with rioting is that people riot in their own towns and destroy her own stores, schools and property. Then the problem does not even get solved.
    I think La haine raises a lot of questions and brings issues to light. The three main characters Said, Vinz, and Hubert are all different and are all reacting to what is happening differently. Said seems to be the most passive yet plainly and simply refers to all police officers as “Pigs”. Hubert seems as if he is cracking under pressure, he is strongly affected but at the same time he know right from wrong. Whereas Vinz is the crazy one. He is very angry and just wants to kill each and every “pig” he sees.
     A reoccuring theme is the film is the riddle or story about the man who jumps off of a skyscraper, on his way down he keeps saying “So far so good”. This fall represents their community falling apart during this time and how they might “land”. That was a very effective and helpful element.