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La Haine Le Blanc et le Noir. Lesson Objectives: In this lesson we will discuss the use of black and white in the making of La Haine. Black and white in the age of colour. Why?. Making a black and white film in 1995 is a statement. Since the 1970’s colour in film became ubiquitous.
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La HaineLe Blanc et le Noir. Lesson Objectives: In this lesson we will discuss the use of black and white in the making of La Haine.
Black and white in the age of colour. Why? • Making a black and white film in 1995 is a statement. • Since the 1970’s colour in film became ubiquitous. • Some film makers continued to make black and white films • E.g. Manhattan (Woody Allen 1979) • She’s Gotta Have It (Spike Lee 1986) • Raging Bull ( Martin Scorsese 1980)
Reasons? • In Raging Bull, Martin Scorsese said that black and white makes the blood less disturbing and that technically it fades less than colour. (see also Kill Bill sequences, Quentin Tarantino) • It gives a period feel. • It appears unrealistic, yet like music videos – cool • It allows for more overt play on characters’ skin colours. (Hubert on the poster)
Reasons? • Reference to film noir (Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywoodcrime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation.) • Vinz in the cinema – smoke patterns • The Boxing Match • Uses classic film noir photography (Chiaroscuro (Italian for light-dark) is a term in art for a contrast between light and dark) and backlighting • Vinz in the BMW looking moodily at the street. • Constructs a mood of urban edginess and expectancy.
Reasons? • To distinguish La Haine from other beur and banlieu films. (Beur is a verlan (Frenchslang) term for a descendant of immigrants of North African origin living in France. Can be used as a pejorative term) • Other films in colour. • The obvious highlight of black, white and grey subject matter in La Haine.
Unrealistic? • Unrealistic in that black and white film it is not of now! • However, Kassovitz uses other devices to bring it into the present. • Newsreel footage • Tv news archive • Still retains a gritty, cool feel, both real and unreal • The film doesn’t really age as it would in colour. • E.g. Saïd’s tracksuit is gold!
Research • Bavure • Banlieu • Beur • Film noir • Social unrest/ grèves post 1995. what were people protesting about?
See also… • DVD extras – scenes in colour • Behind the scenes 2 – Filming in the cité.