Young Programmers Festival 2025: La Haine 15

From the archive

This film was last shown on 15 February 2025

Within the Parisian housing project where they reside, three friends—Vinz (Vincent Cassell), Hubert (Hubert Koundè), and Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui)—manage law enforcement and the growing urban unrest in the wake of a riot. The three of them find themselves heading toward a more perilous future as tensions rise and the possibility of violence grows.

La Haine is a powerful work of contemporary French film that speaks directly to the present day thanks to director Matthieu Kassovitz's candid depiction of young men who are imprisoned by their economic, ethnic, and communal conditions and stuck in the dangerous spiral of teenage rebellion.

This screening will be preceded by an introduction.

Please note there will be no adverts or trailers before this screening.

Screening as part of the Young Programmers Teenage Dirtbags film festival alongside Persepolis.

Statement from the Young Programmers:

We chose La Haine for our Teenage Dirtbags film festival because it perfectly captures the essence of teenage nihilism. The film follows a group of disenchanted youths as they navigate the gritty streets of Paris, grappling with themes of violence, inequality, and hopelessness. Its raw and unfiltered portrayal of youth culture resonates deeply with the theme of our festival, offering a thought-provoking perspective on the complexities of adolescence. Plus, its innovative cinematography and powerful performances make it a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the darker side of teenage rebellion.

Our film season is important to audiences as it explores the ways in which films can give voices to young people and their concerns in a world where they feel unheard. Modern young perspectives are more important than ever in shaping the future we want to see and even the portrayals of teenager’s cynical outlooks are eye-opening, moving and worthy of seeing on the big screen. Through this, our film season encourages audiences to reflect on their own teenage years and suggest that teenage angst may be less about despair and more about a rejection of traditional narratives and a desire to forge your own path in a world where nothing seems to be set in stone.