FILMMAKER MOVIE REACTION!! La Haine (1995) FIRST TIME REACTION!! 

This movie was an experience! Let me know your favorite moment in this movie! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Get ready for DREDD movie reaction/commentary Wednesday! THE THING (1982) will be Thursday! :) Enjoy the day!

It's so cool how the film starts with Said opening his eyes and ends with him closing his eyes

For that mirror scene, they had Vincent cassel and a body double looking at each other as the body double perfectly mimicked cassel’s movements. There was actually no mirror at all

What an ending, holy shit I remember throwing my hands up in shock. The message is so timely too. Just a phenomenal film that everyone needs to see.

The ending is my favorite and least favorite part 😭

I noticed that throughout the movie, even small things send the three of them into full blown arguments. Everything escalates so quickly. They’ve been conditioned to react this way because of the brutality in their environment. They never see disputes being handled peacefully, so discord is all they know.

this film was so ahead of it's time! Sadly such a relevant movie for the present day

The sculture at the end of the movie (the big hand) is "Ecoute". It is placed in the "Forum des halles" which is a place were young suburbans were often fighting in the 90's. The other symbolic of the sculpture is via it's name "Ecoute" which can be translated to "listen / understand", while there's a misunderstanding between Vinz and his 2 friends.

One of the most important films I’ve ever seen.

Saw this for the first time a couple of months ago and was blown away by every shot, every moment of dialogue, every performance, the way it details life in this part of the world that feels completely genuine and authentic to Paris, but could be in any number of places as well. The word masterpiece is thrown around a lot, but this is, without question, a masterpiece

"C'est l'histoire d'une société qui tombe et qui au fur et à mesure de sa chute, se répète sans cesse pour se rassurer : Jusqu'ici tout va bien... J'usqu'ici tout va bien... J'usqu'ici tout va bien... mais l'important c'est pas la chute, c'est l'atterissage."

our french teacher showed this movie to us in class. back then i didnt like it. i thought it was boring because it was in black and white. now that i am older i love this move! i can appreciate the filmmaking, the realism, the symbolism, the message so much more

I'm so glad you got to watch this. Every time I watch La Haine, i'm left feeling cold (in the best way possible). Its choatic, unapologetic, yet so sincere in regards to the characters and story.

One thing I love about this movie is the way it captures the dynamic of the hood. When I was growing up, everyone knew each other around the hood. So when Vinz daps it up with people passing on the street, them walking up to people they already know and start talking, and especially that scene with the kid talking about someone famous. It really gives the feel that this was just a regular day for them, but no one knew it was going to be Vinz last day.

aha! Now this is a proper classic, no one smokes a cigarette as cool as Vincent Cassel

I don't know if you noticed, but the movie ends the same way it starts, in the ending, Said closes his eyes and there's a bang, in the begginning, there's a bang and Said opens his eyes. I just love how this is almost a no plot movie, this is just a day in the life of these friends, the only constant is the anger of Vinz and the eventual death of the boy in the hospital, and it all comes around in the end, where he finally knows the hates just creates more hate, but he's still a victim of classism and abuse of power. This is just a perfect movie to me.

Undisputed masterpiece, probably closer to Do The Right Thing than American History X to me. Gives off a hot-tempered energy like almost no other film. And the compositions :o

greatest hood movie ever to me this film is asking society the question of how long are we gonna do this sh** to people its actually based on true events in 1993 when a kid was shot in paris by the police during an interrogation the scenes in the beginning are actual footage of the civil unrest at the time wasn’t the last unrest in paris and probably won’t be the last edit: theres an awesome german hood film called “familiye” isn’t known as well as la haine and is more about a broken family in the hood with no parents in sight

The statue is called L'Écoute(Listen), it was bult to remind the people of Paris to pay attention to the world around them. Its use in that scene is frankly brilliant, bravo

I studied this for my A-Level and I can safely say it’s one of the best films I’ve seen

My favourite movie growing up. No one I've met has ever heard of it outside of my old friends, that was 20 years ago we watched it, can't believe the movie is 25/26 years old now. Will never lose it's impact.

I still maintain that from the day I first saw this film shortly after its release, to today, it is one of the greatest films ever made. There is so much in this film that it is almost like every single frame could be used for an academic thesis, from the actual cinematography and camera work, to the socio-political storyline and the societal representations of the characters. Everything about it is a masterpiece. I'm so glad that you were moved by it (I say "moved" because "I'm glad you enjoyed it" doesn't really convey the actual experience of watching it). A bit of trivia - the neo-nazi that they kidnapped and beat up, and Vinz had the gun to his head, was actually played by the director, Mathieu Kassovitz. This is a great channel. Keep up the good work.

The skinhead they are about to shoot is the director I believe

This film was made 28 years ago and it's still relevant today.

I first watched la haine in school in my French class. It's been one of my favourites ever since

I love how this film challenged my perception on what France was like as well France in all the media I've experienced is pristine, soft, usually extremely classy and rich, a bit sensual even. This movie not only lacks those traits, but is the exact opposite of them. Also, the fact that a character's death was A: offscreen and B: someone we never actually saw talk, but still had this much weight is the mark of excellent writing.

This will always be a French classic and it takes a lot from "The Battle of Algiers" which is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made... and I agree! Great review bro

Such a great film. Originally shot in colour, but printed on black and white at the director's request. Definitely the right choice

This movie was shown at a film festival, and the police turned their backs to it, displeased at the portrayal of officers. This movie is so, so important. I tell everyone to watch it

yup, yup, you’ve sold me to sub to your Patreon James with this movie pick, always having the most FIRE movie selection and great insight as always

Masterpiece! Btw Mathieu Kassovitz (writer/director) is the skinhead :)

Grumwalski's story is basically about pride: he could've survived had he been next to his friends or had he decided to keep his pants down, but his pride killed him, pretty much like it would put the protagonists through so many problems (Snoopy, Police Officers, the Skinheads...)

its time for a rewatch james!

Excellent choice! Check out Cassavetes - A Woman Under the Influence.

16:26 possibly my favourite shot ever The Vertigo Effect

I saw this film a while ago but I find this film great in so many ways. The camera movement, the editing, the dialogue and I love the way they give it this almost surreal feeling in parts yet the film still feels real and natural

Something I love about watching new films is coming back to see your reactions. Adds so much. Really appreciate you man

This was the launching point for Vincent Cassel the opening music is Burnin and Lootin by Bob Marley. The film focussed on the French banlieues and reflected the social unrest among disillusioned youth. The film turns 30 next year. Kassovitz was 27 when he made the film.

One of my top 10 movies ever made, such a genious piece of cinema. Fun fact: the director Kassovitz also plays in the movie and he played the young skinhead they catch at night in Paris.

One of the best films of all time. Glad you reacted to this one pimp!

One of my favorite films of all time. Glad to see you're showcasing lesser known and foreign films on your channel. I enjoyed your take on the themes and various cinematic techniques as well. You've got a really good eye.

I'm happy you found this masterpiece!

The drunk guy heard Vinz say Sayid's name when they were arguing. Big ups from South Africa

Please watch the UK film "This Is England"

Watch Irreversible. Also starring Vincent Cassell as well as Monica Belucci. Warning:- possibly the most upsetting, disturbing and violent pieces of cinema ever made. It's graphic, an ordeal to watch, experimental, unconventional narrative with an ending that to some will be innocuous...but makes everything a million times worse when thought about. I cried, paused and almost puked (repeatedly) and have only seen twice with some scenes skipped the 2nd time. Is it a work of art with a disturbing and true meaning? Yes. But it's NOT an entertaining experience...it's makes you want to die. Horrible, heart breaking, real and tough to watch...but important, well made, acted, everything. It's just rough. Really REALLY rough to watch. ...enjoy lol

One of my favourite movies ever, if not my favourite. Brilliant.

This is probably the most important movie i've ever seen. I saw it back in 2001 when i was 17. Probably the best time for me to see it because of my age and my life at that time. I think it adds an extra layer of connection if you come from a European country and grew up with Hip-hop in a multicultural environment, racism and skinheads, riots and with a sense of society exclusion. It hit me hard watching the movie because it touched me in so many areas, i saw myself and my friends in that movie. Also all the hidden messages though out the film, the excellent cinematography, the relatable characters and superb acting, the scenes that said nothing but in the same time said everything. Just like that scene when they are just chillin in the park waiting and the young kid comes up to them and starts telling a story to a uninterested Vinz while Said is throwing small rocks at the kid. The kids persona, that young unfearful old man persona is so common in these kind of neighborhoods. That scene is so magical in so many ways and i just love how the director Mathieu Kassovitz (who also plays the skin-head) made the film so authentic by shooting scenes like that. I've seen it so many times through out my life and i always catch a new thing every time i see it. For instance i hadn't picked up on the mirror scene being shot with a double until i saw this reaction video. This movie is so important and timeless. In my opinion it should be shown in every schools in order to have kids debate and reflect on society and themselves.

I remember the first time I saw this film. It was for my 11th grade film theory class. We had come in during Spring break to watch some of the films that we were supposed to write a paper on for our main semester paper. This was the first one we watched. Being in my highschool's theater with somewhere between 50-75 of my classmates as we all were thoroughly engrossed in this film was an experience. Every tense moment you could hear all of us take in a sharp breath as we waited to see what would happen (especially during the Russian Roulette scene because we had seen Deer Hunter a few weeks prior and that was still fresh in our minds). It definitely helped that my school was in an area where movies like this are a lot more relatable due to most of my classmates being able to see themselves in the protagonists. I ended up writing my paper on what is still one of my favorite shots. It was the part where Vinz was boxing in front of the television screens. While he's boxing, the televisions are playing footage of destruction and chaos. But when he stops fighting and turns to look at the screens, it switches to people smiling and dancing, but there are also now black bars covering the screen, showing how he's not able to get that kind of peaceful life anymore. 10/10 film in every regard

I can honestly said that only a handful of films have left me speechless in my seat. Films that have stuck in my mind for 20 years+. Films that I instantly mention when I have to recite the most powerful films I have seen. I saw La Haine during a film festival. It was only due to seeing a clip of the mirror scene that I went. Never regretted it. One of my all time favorites

Man I've been waiting for months for someone to react to this movie... I love it. I don't know if someone already told it in the comments but the statue around 24:50 is called "Ecoute" which means "Listen". It gives another context to the whole dialogue with Vinz not listening to the others in that scene

hi and thx for reacting to this master piece. by the way the skinhead is the writer, co-editer, and director of this movie Mathieu Kassovitz

I love rewatching this movie with someone who’s seeing it for the first time. Thank you for that.

Great reaction, James, especially at the end :) I feel most sorry for Hubert. He was be the most reasonable guy and ended up being consumed by hatred. Greetings from Germany.

I just watched this. The ending was really something. And the style and cinematography was really a work of art

What a great review! When I first watched it with my brother we were so blown away we watched it again as soon as it ended. So many beautiful details in the film, like how each character is introduced by name first or Said opening his eyes and the sound coming on (start of the play), then closing his eyes (end of the play), the adherence to traditional french theatre rules (5 act structure, one location - Paris, 24 hours timeframe etc...), the joker, the moral one, the loose canon, a bit of deus ex machina, the poor Vs the rich, the state racism, the running gags, Cut Killer and on and on. Genius film. RE: the old dude in the car theft scene he was there at the window for a while and heard them use Said's name, so that's how he knows it. The director is the third cop who watches his colleagues torture Said and Hubert in custody.

I watched this film months ago and I am happy you gotten the chance to watch it! This movie...This masterpiece reminded me so much when I lived in the southside of St louis. The hood, the memories and all that resonated so much in me and this was masterfully done well. I can't compliment the movie enough dude.

Yesterday I thought about requesting La Haine, and now today it’s here. I’m a psychic lmao. Def one of my all time favorite movies. But if you haven’t seen Audition (Japanese movie from 1999 or 2000 idr) you should give it a watch whether on camera or off camera.

What are the odds that I watch "La Haine" for the first time AND find this video 1 year to the date that you uploaded? I agree that this film is perfect...fully immersive, self-possessed, and aesthetically rich.

26:07 same reaction we all had when we finished it in my high-school auditorium

This movie was fucking amazing, but there is just one thing I can’t get over: the characters. Every character, with the possibility of Hubert, were abusive to people outside of there class, while simultaneously being abused by everyone outside of their class. What makes this film feel so genuine is because everyone claims victim hood while being horrible to each other, like it said in the movie “hate breeds hate”

Good review. We saw this film when it came out in 1995, and it blew us away. This was an important film for me growing up as a 17 years old. One of my best films of all time, up there for me with Do the Right Thing.

I love watching your videos on my favourite films. It’s like a little rewatch while hearing your thoughts on it too

This is my favourite movie of all time so far. When watching it for the first time, it took me about 30 minutes to realize it's in black and white. I was so captivated I didn't even notice the absence of color.

love that you loved this movie that much ;) great acting, great camera, great authenticity and story

As a generic consumer (never studied film a day in my life) 'La Haine' is brilliant. It's amazing how you can understand and experience the film in a completely different way as a film maker. Really cool. Keep it up!

Camera work and tracking the guys' conversations as they move through the city is top tier. super intense emotions building up in me, tough to watch at the end as they zoom in and past the guys stand-off! Well made and powerful film. Great reaction, James!!

One of my all time faves. Glad to see you react to this one.

Say a little prayer for Grunwalski, who died from embarassment on the way to the gulag.... Was he saying "So far, so good...so far, so good..." ?

I need to get this film NOW. It reminds me of taxi driver, American history x, the Irishman and joker.

said's opening his eyes at the beginning and his closing at the end suggests that he had a vision at the beginning of the movie that he only had a day to save his friends and his closing that his vision came true. The scene with the old man is about pride and coincides with Said's unwillingness to tell either Hubert or Vinz of the vision for fear of ridicule and being labelled a looney. They are even prevented from going home at night, so they still had an opportunity to postpone arriving at their fate however they still take the mornings first train home. Hubert himself has the same vision, the scene with his sister that he "hasn't got the time" to help is indicative of someone trapped by fate. He also closes his eyes, suggesting he knows he'll never leave the banlieue despite his ambitions.

Amazing reaction! I enjoyed hearing your insight on these different shots! Your reactions to how amazing the shots were exactly like mine when I first watched this movie! And that’s coming from a person who doesn’t speak a word of French. Great movie and great reaction 👍🏽

I highly relate to the way you think and your perspective on things in general. Great video and you're a great guy!

Favourite film of all time, great video

At last. I was waiting so impatiently for you to watch it :)

Watched La Haine this morning and thought, I hope James reacted to this, and here we are XD

I first saw this film when i was about 18 years old back in 1996. I had the pleasure of seeing it in my local cinema thanks to the recommendation from a class mate at the time. She was French and told me that I would love it seeing how she knew I was into Hip Hop and movies like Do The Right Thing and that stuff. I can honestly say that I have held this film in the highest regard ever since. Recommending it to others and I even bought it twice, once on VHS and the 10th anniversary DVD in 2005. Its a masterclass. It introduced us to Vincent Cassell and Said Taghmaoui and Michael Kassovitz. It doesn't age and it seems to get more powerful as the years go on. I'm glad you gave it a watch and I knew it would be right up your street. Also, the girl that recommended this to me said that there is a lot of French 'urban' slang used that she even had a problem understanding so I think that again shows the authenticity that was achieved whilst making this film. And that scene with the DJ has always had my mind pickled, its too good. Oh yeah, I dig your channel.

It is by far one of my favourite movies in history. absolute masterpiece

This movie was a perfect depiction of 90's EU suburban life. Most of us grown up religiously lerning any line in the movie (jk, almost). It was so much talking of our true life and with a spectacular direction/photography. Also the music was spot on. It was really hitting hard all the right spots and you felt right there with the guys and their problems. I'm so astonished it is not knew in the US nor even translated (i grew up on Italian version of it)

The Director (Mathiew Kasovitz- buthchered the name) was inspired by Scorsese and Spike Lees film Do the Right Thing. Do the right thing is aa great xompanion piece to this if you havent seen it. Camera work is deffo Scorsese esque. The mirror scene it wasnt a mirror it was two diff actors Vincent Cassel and un credited 👍

Happily surprised to see this upload today. I was literally thinking about recommending this after I watched your reaction to Portrait of a Lady on Fire yesterday lol.

this movie is my fav hands down, shook me to the core several times

Ahhh YES. LOVED this movie. "It's not the fall that matters, it's the landing" I saw this with my friends at the time we were the age of the kids in the movie. First French film I ever saw (I'm from the Netherlands!) Such a powerfull message/look into the world of troubled, misguided and confused young kids in Europe/elsewhere. Still relevant today!

Also - the statue is La statue Écoute, and the scene with the zoom trick uses "dolly zoom" :)

Absolutely amazing movie, two great actors began here, Vincent Cassel and Said Taghmaui . Life in the projects happens all over the world.

That this is filmed in black and white enhances the contrasts presented both in imagery and social contect. It is powerful and raw.

This is one of the big films in my Film course that we all watched and are taking inspiration from

La Haine, Boyz n the Hood and City of God are my favorite Hood films! Definitely do a reaction to Boyz n the Hood and City of God eventually!

On that car stealing scene with the drunk guy; he was watching the whole thing all along, and heard them arguing on what cables to hotwire. That is why he knew Said name. Fun fact, that drunk guy is French actor Vincent Lindon

Perfect movie, one of my favourite. The director appears on the documentary: Just for Kicks. Funny thing: the building where they go meet Asterix is the building where Vincent Cassel parents live, in center of Paris. Great reaction man! Love it! It's the only reaction to La Haine I ever saw on youtube!

Fuck yes! I love this movie! So happy you covered this film! Its such a gem, i love getting peoples perspective on it

the DJ Kut killer scene was done with a remote controled helicopter and recorded in 5.1 surround sound, in the DVD version, you can hear the sound going from front left to front right to rear back to left rear etc.. really great. the trans-travelling scenes are amazing too.

One of the best movies ever, apparently it was shot in color and they put it in black and white in post. I wish they would release a colored version just for comparisons sake. Excellent reaction! It's always good to hear your thoughts on these movies!!

I like how the scene with the journalist created distance between the journos and the kids by having them a few dozen feet apart and the journos at the street level looking down at the people while still in their car, more or less. The staging says is it's a place other, more important people drive through on their way to somewhere else. That kind of staging is punch in the gut to anyone who's lived in the sort of neighbourhoods that are looked down on, especially literally when you've lived below road level lol. I feel the same feeling as the protagonists: my neighbourhood isn't that bad, ye snobs! lol

Wow you are the only guy that reacted to this movie. Its been one of my favs for ages. If you want a trippy french flick with tons of weird and unique cinematogrophy, then I highly recommend the movie climax, from gaspar noe. Its his tamest film but also his best imho :)

I loved this movie when i was younger. Still do. Haven't seen it in many years tho. Maybe I'll watch it again today!

Vinz says in the bathroom that they won’t turn a cheek he then dies to a shot to the cheek

The ending to this movie is like getting shot in the face yourself

Saw this for the first time in the cinema the other day... incredible... absolutely incredible

I know this video is over 2 years old now, but I enjoyed it. I think the french/ europeans have a thing about random irrelevant conversations like the old man in the bathroom as a moment as comedy but with pathos by the bucket load. Whilst not French, but Belgian, JCVD had moments similar. And Ghost dog with Forrest Whitaker, his best friend selling la glace, he did a similar thing. I love it though, it works so well in how they do it.

Classic french film! Great choice this time around, a lot of themes still relevant today and the “banlieu” situation in Paris/France is really similar to projects in the US.