La Haine (Second Hand)

Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Title: La Haine
Format: DVD (10th Anniversary Edition)
Genre: Drama / Crime
Starring: Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, Saïd Taghmaoui
Rating: 15

La Haine is a critically acclaimed French drama directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, exploring social tension, police violence, and alienation in the suburbs of Paris.

Film Overview

Shot in stark black and white, the film follows Vinz, Hubert, and Saïd over a 24-hour period after a riot erupts following police brutality against a local youth.

As the trio drift through the city, simmering anger, boredom, and hopelessness expose the fragile balance between survival and self-destruction in a divided society.

Awards & Recognition

• Best Director – Cannes Film Festival (1995)
• Winner of 3 César Awards, including Best Film
• Widely regarded as one of the most influential European films of the 1990s

Special Features

• Digitally remastered transfer with new subtitles
• Audio commentary by Mathieu Kassovitz
• Scenes presented in colour
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• After the Riot – essay on La Haine by Keith Reader
• Theatrical trailers

Condition

Second Hand – Good.

• Original DVD case included
• Disc present
• Disc appears clean and in good condition
• Case and insert show light wear consistent with age and normal use

Additional Information

• Language: French
• Subtitles: English
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 anamorphic
• Black & white
• Approximate running time: 98 minutes