la Haine Opening scene analysis dan f

La haine opening sequence

Mathieu Kassovitz use the manipulation of cinematography shown from rioting footage from the 1985-1995 riots within Paris to show how the division of French society is present and that it is split Into 3 different factions La Cite, Paris and La Police. Mathieu has shown this through he opening credits as they are shown under the different headings of cast members, this is used to show the audience that there is a segregation, between social and ethical classes within French society and to force the audience to view these factions clearly.

The footage used is intelligently edited to show the police as a horrific force, committing acts of brutality, such as beating rioters up with batons and crushing them with their shields and masses of police attacking single rioters senseless, also showing protesters having to be resuscitated and covered in blood due to the sheer force the police have in comparison to the protesters, this is to manipulate the audience into believing that the police are the antagonists and that the protesters are protagonists as they are fighting for a good cause, and the police are their to prevent them from their freedom of oppression and to further exploit them as a weak minority. The use of real riot footage from this time of social destruction within French society gives a realistic interpretation for the audience to make their mind up on the issue played before them.

The realist framework also challenges the contemporary images of Paris that are typically shown within the media and challenges the norms of France that are typically associated with the county of romance and city of love, Paris.

The framework shows French monuments such as the Arc De Triomphe having riots occur near them, countering typical western views of France as it shows that these riots occur in its most visually exquisite and famous cities, this opening shows a warzone of rioting and brutality flooding the streets of Paris.

The police are positioned as a destructive force of oppression and fear to all who oppose the state and typical French society