The stir La Haine caused in 1995 was, in part, due to its controversial subject matter - les banlieues (the suburbs) - which had, since the 1980s, become synonymous with France's major problems of unemployment, social exclusion, racial conflict, (sub)urban decay, criminality and violence. It was also due, in part, to its negative portrayal of the police who, with the exception of one officer of North African descent, are represented as violent, racist and uncomprehending. It was also due in part to its sympathetic, some might say indulgent, representation of an excluded and multi-ethnic suburban youth.

The film was a huge commercial success and provoked much debate in France over its unflinching presentation of urban and police violence. The then-prime minister Alain Juppé arranged a special screening and ordered his entire cabinet to watch the film; police guards at the screening at Cannes turned their backs on the director, cast and crew as they walked past in protest of its portrayal of police brutality. Kassovitz won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996 and the movie was nominated for the Palme d'Or; the film also picked up the César Award for Best Picture

Loved that movie.

man, you pick some titles there brother....what a list

one of my favorites

celebratory *promote for the 250

Re-promoting this video to the front page as a VideoSift Classic. Originally published on Sunday 14th January 2007 (promotion called by gold star member rickegee)

Cheers mate - I love this film/tune!!!

*hiphop

Adding video to channels (Hiphop) - requested by schmawy.