La Haine

La Haine ("Hate") is a French black-and-white film directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, released in 1996. A dark urban thriller which has been called France's answer to Trainspotting, it explores themes of racism, violence and disaffected youth in modern suburban Paris. It features a sterling central performance by Vincent Cassel as the petulant and troubled Vinz, which launched Cassel to stardom.

The film was a huge commercial success and provoked much debate in France over its unflinching presentation of urban violence; the then-prime minister Alain Juppé was reported to have arranged a special screening and ordered his entire cabinet to watch the film. Kassovitz won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996, as well as being nominated for the Palme d'Or; the film also picked up the Cesar Award for Best Picture.