What Makes La Haine a Captivating Masterpiece (Video Essay) 

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.

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.

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!

Did you notice that Said was always in the middle : between Hubert and Vinz and literally on the screen - always in the middle.

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

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.

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

a timeless film - even in the 21st century

That’s my favorite movie of all times. I was born 1980 and that was the first movie that represented our lifestyle. Hanging around, making trouble, having problems with the police, no plan for the future. We watched that movie over and over again and we found ourselves in the characters. We interpreted the Grunwalski Story as a general lesson about society and people who are far away from it. Everytime you reach your hand the trousers fall down, that means something stupid happens and you stumble. At the end of the movie Vinz reaches his hands and hands out the gun to Hubert, they all get a little bit closer to society, but then the trouser falls down and Vinz gets shot by the police. The story is the key to the movie. God how many evenings did we discuss about that movie. A truly masterpiece, for me the best movie ever.

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.

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

I love how relevant this is atm

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

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 !

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

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

‘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!

Feels like an informed, chill and authentic analysis throughout, and i feel like ive learnt something. Great film, great content. Many thanks 👌

This movie is so heavily underrated and part of pop culture. Thanks for this amazing video/analysis!

Every time I watch a film I write a small review of it so I can go back after some time and see exactly what I thought of it after seeing it. La Haine is the first film I had to watch two times before being able to put my thoughts down, 'cause after the first watch I had no idea what I just saw. I totally agree with your interpretation of the man in the bathroom story, at first I thought it was just comedic relief, but the second time around it was clear to me, Hubert was reaching to Vinz, but he refused to let go of his pride. Nice video man, keep up the good work!

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

Excellent analysis. I really enjoyed it! Keep them coming

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

Amazing analysis with the story the old guy told in the bathroom! That's such a crazy and real way to look at it!

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.

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

Really good analysis, thank you!!!

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.

well made video love this review and this film a lot

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

what an amazing review!

Really good review -great vid- well done 👍

Great vid man, big loyle carner fan too

Great video man I love the movie one of my favourites

Nice breakdown of the film

fire review sonny. this movie was fantastic

thank you for this video analysis

Nice one!

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

Interesting you mention that particular dolly shot for this film, my personal favourite is the scene where the camera is mounted on the front bumper of the BMW, you get the view of the whole front of the car as it drives around. Creative beyond recogition

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

Good video bro

my first french film and wow def gonna check out more and go out of my comfort zone of japanese cinema

in the story I feel like Hubert needed to know when to let go. Nothing will change if nothing changes. Deep down he probably knew that they were holding him back or atleast vinz.

La Haine was actually filmed in color originally but changed to black and white in post production btw

History repeats itself in June 2023 in Paris 😢

I just finished watching it. I really enjoyed it overall. But I guess I struggled a bit with trying to understand it at a deeper level probably because I'm just so used to the violence and extremes of things, especially in 2024, while living in Chicago. The gun doesn't even phase me. But I just really enjoyed the acting, the chaotic friendship between them, the tension and nervousness about their actions, thoughts, motivations as the time was going by and even how rational and calm headed Hubert was.

Really interesting analysis

Timeless Masterpiece - forever

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

truly a remarkable film

The whole point being about the redemption arc for Vince leading to nought but death blew me away the first time I saw this. No matter what they do, the system ultimately decides their fate. And to think nothing has changed in our society nearly 30 years on.

Thank you Sonny. Keep it up

What’s the background music? It’s so good 🤩

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.

nice,

I agree!

This is the only movie to make me cry

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.

best of the best

where can i watch the film?

Nice analysis, just a comment from a french speaker, the h is not pronounced in french in the word haine, haine sounds exactly like the letter n in English.

This movie is heavy

Song?

Song called ?

Best film ever

I── did you by any chance come across The Cinema Cartography essay on La Haine, “La Haine ── So Far, So Good... ” published 7 years ago?

Who else came here after studying La Haine for A Level french?

Omg a friend recommended this as it was free on iPlayer. I just don’t get it… why on earth is this considered a masterpiece? The title is pretty fitting though… I absolutely hated it!! Had to just fastforward through big chunks of it just to see to the end. Are we supposed to feel hatred towards the police and empathy towards the main characters? How come I’ve never in my life experienced any brutality from the police? Is it maybe because I’m not breaking law, stubbing people, using drugs and rioting? I think police is not brutal enough, it’s not even strict enough with the likes of those depicted in this grim black-and-white (an attempt to make it more original? But made it even grimmer than it is) “masterpiece”.

7:14 police brutality exists but you also have to remember why it exists first off, it's not nearly as bad in countries like France than in the US but while police brutality is bad, crime is bad too, and if you want the tensions to stop then you need to take care of both problems

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

Bro , the pronociation is La En The "H" is silent

gg

For now my country is dying from criminal's brutality. Kassovitz was wrong. I was 15yo and living in that kind of neighborhood in Le Havre, when this movie was released, I was a huge fan, I was wrong too.

What Makes La Haine a Captivating Masterpiece? Because it has no english syncro

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

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

copying the letterbox synopsis word for word lol

I dissagree I think the movie was mid at best. The way the characters acted the whole time made it apparent to me that they are deserving, if not directly responsible for the bad lives they live. And the police were being too soft on what was essentially a group of violent thugs eagerly waiting for a chance to kill or pick another stupid fight over trivial shit. I think the message about police brutality and systemic injustice falls flat when you consider just how often they were let off easy. And how their lives would improve dramatically if they simply dressed and acted respectfully rather than being a vengeful nuisance all the time.

Gotta agree with you. Great movie .