SSC Film Studies

How does the structure of La Haine convey some of the key messages and vaules of the film?

La Haine is distinctly split into two halves by a train journey in to the city centre. This device separates  the projects from the city. As an audience this enables us to learn more about the characters as they are out of their environment/ comfort zone. Thus highlights the social and political implications of the film.

The opening is set in the projects were the camera is fluid and uses a lot of long takes. Plus point of view shots from each character are used so we are able to emphasise with how that character feels within their environment. The structure of the projects, with it's high risen buildings and their circular positioning fills the framing of the camera, conveying entrapment and claustrophobia. we see lack of nature and sky, depicting the projects as almost a confined prison. However wide shots of the characters walking in their environment reflects their sense of control and we get the sense that they feel like they fit in there. The stylised elements like Vinz' dream and the dj killa scene, are the only moment where the audience are removed from the reality of the projects. The Dj scene is a mixture of classic french music and an up beat song that degrades the police. The director is perhaps implying that these people have no respect for the French culture and rejects them, as they themselves have been rejected by French authority. The audience are immersed both visually and aurally in the project.

The train journey focuses on Hubert and we can see Vinz and Said in the background, visually distancing the characters. This reflects how Hubert does not want to associated with crime as he understands the sever consequences that will inevitably happen if he is to be involved. It is obvious that he understands his position in society and desires escape. An ironic statement is introduced when we see a poster reading "The world is yours", a point of view shot fro Hubert. Kassovitz is highlighting that for the people who are not classed as French citizens, or are of a different race, do not have it in their power for this quote to apply to them. They are perceived as outsiders, especially Hubert who visually looks the most different as he is black African. The facial expression Hubert makes suggests that he has realised that no matter what he does, whether he has a grant for a gym or not, this quote will never apply to him and he is trapped.
This scene demonstrates the sheer distance of the city and the projects, geographically segregated from French society.