An Analysis of Conflict in “la Haine”

La Haine is set in the Paris suburbs in the late 90’s. In Paris then and now there are riots in the summer time, but what the riots are for can change every time. Most of the time politics can be involved or maybe even hatred against the police. La Haine follows the story of 3 young men in 24 hours and what kind of trouble they get into being part of the Paris suburbs and the riots. The director Mathieu Kassovitz uses a number of cinematography techniques and camera shot to make the fast passed film that is La Haine.

The film shows conflict first of all with the colour. Originally shot in colour but then changed into black and white in post production. This has an added effect on how the audience view the film. Conflict is shown here that the world has moved on and is all moving forward but the estate where the live in Paris is forever going to be stuck as it is always the same and always fighting. We can see here that conflict has been caused here but the little suburb not taking the time to move forward but focusing on the arguments and other issues.

Another part of the film where conflict is shown is how the film starts at the beginning. Real footage is being used of the riots in Paris and this adds to the story of the film. Immediately audiences can recognise things they have been watching on TV for years and what they now about the riots, but have never actually been right up in front of the action. But I think before the narrative begins this is very effective. The film of the riots is in black and white so might make the viewer think maybe when the actual film starts it might go back to colour, but stays the same as its almost part of the film. But I think conflict is shown here as that nothing ever changes and that is always going to be the same with riots and fighting with the country and the police.

In conclusin the flim has shown conflict in alot of ascpects of the Paris Riots. Using the characters and the way the film has been made, it is obvious that Kassovitz has shown how hard it must be to live in that time.