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Urban Stories - La Haine question

How far does the impact of the films you have studied depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?

The film La Haine is set in the aftermath of the 90s Paris riots over the space of a 24 hour period, and creates a distinctive urban feel through the use of black and white as well as many of its other film techniques and there changes. There are certain elements in scenes which rely of the film techniques chosen by Mathieu Kassovitz to highlight many of its underlying themes which are not clearly stated to the audience; and so the more these are discussed in depth the more that we can discover about how much these techniques really affect the overall impact of the film.

In many sequences different uses of depth of field are used to show different things, whilst the characters are in their home surroundings most of the shots are in wide depth of field in order to show that they are at one with their surroundings and feel comfortable. However as soon as they reach Paris there are many more shots using shallow focus to show that they are out of place and don’t belong there. This is enforced by the use of a zoom reverse dolly shot in the first shot of the three main characters in Paris, it shows a clear divide between the cultures of Paris between the city and the surrounding districts as it is a very obvious effect which is used to disorientate the audience and make them aware of the changes in surroundings.  I originally found it difficult to imagine that there could be a clear separation between Parisians from the city to those from the urban areas around, however due to the use of these film techniques it became clear that it was more than just a small problem in this society. The wide depth of field used in the characters home area could be said to be used to show the power that they hold over their own surroundings and that their future will always be set out there contrasting to in the city where they obviously don’t belong and so can not see further into the future in the city.

There are a multiple number of instances where handheld camera work is used throughout the film, not only in the urban area but in the city of Paris. For instance, it is used to track the three main characters as they walk out of the police station along with the “Notre Dame” officer. The use of the handheld tracking shot here gives us a sense of realism due to its technique as well as offering the opportunity for the audience to experience the shot as if they are there with them, this is reinforced by the use of tracking of the characters.

Although the framing of shots is important under any film production, it seems to be of key importance to Matheiu Kassovltz when directing La Haine due to the significance of this in terms of highlighting the underlying themes of the film. For instance throughout the film whenever there is a gun in the scene, it is shown in the centre of the frame surrounded by other characters this show just how important the gun is to the characters and how their life surrounds it and its uses; showing the conflict held by the characters. Conflict is also shown by the constant use of “face off” shots between characters, these are used between Vinz and Hubert as well as between these charcters and the police, although it shows the conflict between these characters it also shows how even though they disagree with the government they aren’t fighting the right people because they do not have the right knowledge and skill set, so they are fighting each other.

Another theme which is highlighted by the use of framing is power, the sense of power each of the characters holds shifts as the film and its narrative (as little as it may be) develops. This is due to how each of the characters are framed and shown in the centre of the frame between the the other two at particular points,: at the beginning of the film Vinz is in the centre of the two other characters showing how he holds the power over the group mainly due to his confidence and ego, however this shifts soon after when Siads brother steps up and confronts the police, from this point onwards it is Siad out of the three characters who are in the middle. This could be due to Vinz’s ego having been belittled by Siads brother, however it also shows another key theme within La Haine “Fraternity.” One of the words from the French motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Siad is shown as the symbol of fraternity (meaning brotherhood) between the characters. He is the only one of the three main characters who has a older male influence in his life, and although he seems so resent that in the film the use of Siad being shown in the middle of the frame, and constantly being the one bringing the two others back together shows that he has learnt something.

I found the constant use of the framing of the characters very interesting to behold through the film, with the knowledge that everything in the host is there for a reason, when watching the film I became astonished by the amount of little things to pick up on , and how they influenced the story in a very subtle way.

As a whole, the varied use of film techniques has a huge impact on how certain people see the film and its themes however I am uncertain as to whether, someone not studying the film or with little knowledge of filmatic techniques would be able to decipher those in question. From that it could be said that the film techniques used creates little impact to a wide audience with a certain few there to appreciate them. Although if I hold the impression that the majority of the audience understands the use of these techniques, even if only in these circumstances, then I do believe that the use of these particular film techniques, as well as others I have not discussed (including editing and close up shots) add to the impact that the film has on an audience as well as myself. The themes used in this film are very meaning and in some cases even severe it could be said that the impact that the film has solely comes from the use of such important themes within the society.