La Haine (drama)

La Haine is a 1995 French black-and-white social drama film directed by Mathieu Kassovitz. The film primarily follows three young men in their early twenties – Vinz (Vincent Cassel), a volatile Jewish man; Hubert (Hubert Koundé), a calm and thoughtful Afro-French boxer; and Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui), a young Arab man – in the 24 hours following a riot in the multi-ethnic housing projects (banlieues) on the outskirts of Paris.

The unrest is sparked by the severe beating of a young Arab man, Abdel Ichah, by police. Vinz finds a police officer’s lost gun and vows to kill a police officer if Abdel dies. Throughout the film, the tension builds as the three friends navigate the complexities of police brutality, racism, social inequality, and the cyclical nature of violence within their community and interactions with the broader Parisian society.

La Haine is notable for its realistic portrayal of life in the banlieues, its sharp social commentary, and its striking cinematography. It explores themes of alienation, anger, and the lack of opportunity experienced by marginalized youth in France. The film's title, translating to "Hate," underscores the pervasive and destructive nature of the animosity between the police and the residents of the housing projects. La Haine won Kassovitz the Best Director award at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival and has become a significant and influential work of French cinema, sparking considerable debate and discussion about social issues in France and beyond. Its impact can be seen in subsequent films and discussions concerning urban poverty, police violence, and racial tensions.