The long overdue release of the landmark French film "La Haine" has been announced by Criterion for April. The film, as notable for its outstanding B&W photography as for the performances of its principal actors, remains one of the best French movies of the past decade, and is as relevant today as when it was released in 1995. Attracting some 5 million viewers in the first six weeks of its theatrical release, the film was a critical and artistic success for Mathieu Kassovitz. Nevertheless, this promising film by the young director rapidly fell into oblivion, appreciated only by a handful of connaisseurs. This situation changed with the UK DVD, released in 2001, and more recently with a couple of special editions, including an HD DVD version (UK).
The film follows three young companions in the aftermath of riots in which one of their friends was critically wounded. Vinz (Vincent Cassel, who performs with habitual dramatic intensity), who has gotten his hands on a gun belonging to the police, has sworn to avenge the memory of the victim. The action takes place in the French banlieues, or suburbs, in utter turmoil. Everything about the film gives the impression of watching a documentary: the B&W photography, the ordinary locations including the HLM (projects), the subways, and the seemingly spontaneous performances. The fluid camerawork takes the viewer right into the middle of the events.
Without in any way diminishing the contribution of the young actors, mention must be made of the key role played by the lead actor of the film, the banlieue. The concrete, the omnipresent graffiti, the run-down apartment buildings -- all make palpable the isolation, the desolation and the cleavage between the haves and the have-nots of society. Contrary to the suburbs in the US, home to middle-class and well-to-do families, it is the marginalised who inhabit the banlieues, confronted daily by violence, poverty, crime and drugs -- issues that continue to resonate to this day.
"La Haine" definitively broke with the "cinema de papa," exemplified by "Jean de Florette" (1985) and "Germinal" (1993), with big-name stars, astronomical budgets and literary subjects and filled with nauseating nostalgia. Produced for less than 15 million FF, shot in the streets with a small crew and actors who until then were unknown (Cassel has since become a bankable commodity), the existentialist tone of the film is nearer to Camus than to Zola, but is undeniably indebted to the French New Wave. Highly critical of police brutality, virulent racism, and the media as show business, the film is not however without a certain biting humor. It is also evident that Kassovitz has a great passion for rap, slang, boxing, and popular street culture.
Meanwhile, Kassovitz, recipient of the Best Director award at Cannes in 1995 for his effort, has wasted his talent, playing in other director's films and shooting conventional thrillers and horror films. In interviews, of which he has given dozens if not hundreds, he has claimed not to be interested in French cinema and disavows any artistic pretensions. Seduced by the success of Jeunet and Luc Besson, he set up shop in America to create "Gothika." Shot in Montreal and financed by a producer of B-films, the results only seemed to confirm the worst.
Assuredly, all is not well in French cinema. Nobody would say that talent is lacking in France, but the question comes up, just how to attract and keep gifted artists in an unhealthy competitive climat whose overriding motive is profit. While awaiting a response, we can lounge on the sofa and relish the films of Truffaut, Godard, Rohmer and soon, Kassovitz.
[Source: I Spit On Your Movie]
Anyone got additional informatial regarding the content (i.e. special features)of the Criterion release? The limited R2 UK "Ultimate Edition" not only has a bunch of extras, but the soundtrack as well. It's packed in a steelbook, but who cares? I was going to get that before I heard about the Criterion release. Should I get this or wait for Criterion to deliver?
About time for sure. Even with the big special edition that was released last year across the pond, I've somehow never managed to catch up with this landmark film...oi!
The question is, if i have the 10th anniversary edition (UK R2) do i bother with the Criterion? Will the transfer be that much better? Is this a new translation for the subs?
Sometimes it's really hard not being a smartass. You could almost say it's a battle I have to fight every day. A losing battle.
http://criterion.com/asp/release.asp?id=381
I mean, 3 films in the 12 years since La Haine. Christ! Miike Takashi would be spinning in his grave if he wasn´t busy cranking out a quick film on his way to the bathroom.
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