Tapping into that raw, angry energy that permeated the Gen X-ers of the 1990s as they began to grow up in a world of economic hardship, institutionalised racism and the ability to acquire drugs, guns and booze with no problem, Mathieu Kassovitz's potent, blazing youth movie could well have been made in any developed country circa 1995.
As with most artistic cinematic movements, the exploration of a young generation started in France, and then went on to bigger, bleaker and more chilling success in the form of Kids and Trainspotting. 'La Haine' takes the normal '24 hours' plot and updates it for the modern world; a day lasts as long as its protagonists want it to. The central group, aggressive, raw-edged Vinz, naive but loyal Said and calm but disillusioned Hubert, survive through a crucial aftermath of a huge public riot. All seems everyday until Vinz reveals he has found the gun one of the policeman lost the night before. With this new power comes a bigger confidence to take on new challenges, such as facing up to police, skinheads, coke-dealers and trying to get laid, but all goes awry in the most awkward of circumstances.
Almost no scene passes without a fiery confrontation, usually between the three. Cassel, Kounde and Taghmaoui all give convincing performances as the troubled trio, and their constant antics, some fun, some tragic, are all the more spiked and shattered to go through. Though the group's relationship threatens to deterioate, it never does, and one can see that in the most desperate poverty and inopportune circumstances at least it makes the young men bond as friends.
Kassovitz uses his camera to squeeze between the characters to push the audience to the fore of every incendiary event. It's there in the bathroom, in amongst the crowds, between the a man's forehead and the end of a loaded gun. It matches perfectly the visceral and hyperkinetic anger exhibited by all the characters, literally shaking with rage, lingering on the pale, drained faces of it's young adventurors.
The messages are clear but not signposted. Kassovitz doesn't lecture, he just observes and shows up the conditions and lives people have to go through. 13 years on and everything is still the same, in France, in Europe, in the entire developed world. These are people governments and public have given up on, and in the advent of increased hooliganism from an increasingly younger generation, such neglect and contempt has swifty and irreversibly come back to haunt us. In the wake of a more dystopian present, 'La Haine' shows us where we all, whatever age, went wrong first. And don't we deserve it.

Watched this film in french as part of my a level topics and i absolutely loved it....vincent cassell is unbelievable. Very provocative and still relevant today

I studied this film in a media studies course and only was able to watch the beginning and end, and i was hooked. therefore had to buy the film to see what actually happens. the director is brilliant in his choice of camera angle and the fact that it is in black and white adds to the intensity of the oppression felt by the characters. loved it. the middle can seem abit long, but the ending is well worth the watch. if you appreciate films in certain contexts then this 1 is for u

One of the best films ever made! Set in the paris suburbs, a friendship of three guys from different backgrounds is shown through good and bad times! film portrays culture, music, racism! this is a film you have to watch before you die!

A true classic with everything that a good film needs to possess. Strong story-line, interesting characters with lifelike characteristics. Besides this the camera work is some of the best that i have ever seen and the B+W makes it even more powerful to view. You should definitely purchase this, a real classic

A down to earth, gritty story of minorities in the suburbs of Paris, set amongst the huge riots which took place in France following the death of two ethnic minority frenchmen who died after being chased by police. La Haine explores the day to day life of those living in the council slums of Paris, their animosity towards the police and the terrible situation facing the French authorities if they are to erase their negative reputation here. Delivered spectacularly, the trio (Vinz, Hubert and Said) act brilliantly in a film full of messages and lessons, as well as violence.

watched this while studying french, pure classic, a look at french suburan life during the riots

Gritty, french and urban (before we called it urban) and featuring Vincent Cassel before he was internationally famous. A well acted, immediate and engaging story with dramatic black and white visuals that can really make you relate to the characters and involves you in the story.

A French suburban ghetto, a great turntablism scene and cool b-boys as a backdrop to this story of right and wrong, justice or travesty... and watch out for the cow.

although subtitled, this film is strategically made, leqaving the audience with a strong opinion whether or not to join the side of the police or the side of the teenagers!