SSC Film Studies

How far can it be argued that your chosen films provide a realistic representation of the people and places they focus on?

In many ways La Haine provides a very realistic representation of life in France, this is due to many different factors that Kassovitz employed to make this film as believable as possible, and provide an accurate view of French suburbs though his eyes. The only way in which the film the film does not provide an accurate view of French life is because it can bee seen as biased, we are only allowed to view French culture through the eyes of the gangs in the Projects, because Kassovitz wanted us to adopt their ideologies and the way in which they view the police. However, besides this, the film allows us to adopt French culture in many realistic ways and therefore provides realistic representations of life in the projects.

Firstly, the Opening scene immediately sets us in a realistic framework, Kassovitz used real footage of Paris riots, were shown police attacking the rioters and beating them to the ground, while the rioters attempt to protect themselves with twigs. This allows an immediate pre-conception of the police. Whilst the footage is playing we non diegetically hear Bob Marley’s ‘Burnin’ and lootin’’ playing, this song can be seen as ‘the song of the riots’ therefore people of French origin may see this song as being reminiscent of the riots and provide them with a realistic representation of the riots through music.

Secondly, this footage switches from being real to fiction in a matter of seconds, with Bob Marley still playing in the background, Kassovitz wanted to do this because it gave the film a documentary stile feel and immediately set it up as though it was real life. After a short fictional news report, we are introduced to the Projects, and the characters. This film was filmed on Location, therefore it is not at all stylised and so presents accurate representation of the location, making the film more realistic. The Projects are home to the ethnic minorities of France, After the French/Algerian war, France was heavily segregated and immigrants were forced into ‘Shanty Towns’ which later became the projects, this forced segregation in France and led the minorities to build up a hatred of French authorities due to historical factors, this means the population of the projects are not accepted into French culture making them feel alienated and unwanted.

·      Location – No opportunities, no chance of a good life

·      Violence is taught – references to Makome M’Bowle

·      Stereotypes

·      Paris Vs Projects

·      Representation of police