Film (Jun)

La Heine (or Hate en Fracais)

(Sigh) Another subtitled, high brow affair at the fil-um club you say. Oh well… Say what you will, it was fantastic! With arguably the best ending to a film ever.

Wonderfully shot in black and white along with fantastic cinematography, the story tells of a group of French youngsters who find violence and anti-establishment actions and thinking a way of life. These amongst other issues are disputed throughout the fil-um as tension is created by opposing views within the group which we are gently see sawed upon sometimes catapulted off of throughout.

Visually there are moments of genius where a foreground scene beckons you into a tantalisingly beautiful choreographed moment - a picturesque time warp and then venomously spits you hastily out into the ‘real world’, very much in keeping with the spirit of the film itself. It generally packs punches with clarity and starkness though there is much to be said for it’s subtle audible and visual references which are like unexpectedly good hors-dourves at a party when clocked.

Throughout the fil-um there is a high sense of expectation that builds, like the raising of a loaf of bread into an eruption within and then appears to dissipate until you feel the full force of this carefully planned script in one final killer blow.

Beautiful and powerful to watch with hidden depths and a fantastic ending, recommended.

James Garnham

Responses

Now this is going to cause confusion. Replying to a message in the April blog in the June thread. But I think we need to move with the times.

Anyway I see people are coming round to the idea of watching one of those more popular films at Fil-um club. So I’m willing to offer both my TV (and it is a very nice TV) and living room for the next Fil-um club.

Only trouble is when? Friday nights generally ain’t great for me as I’m usually busy until 9-ish but that should be freeing up from about the 18th July on. How does that sound to people? Too long to wait?

I can even throw in the added incentive of having way too much whisky, gin, champagne and fruit squash in the house that I need to get rid of as well. And if it’s a nice night could even get the barbie going.

In fact do we have to bother with watching a film? Isn’t that concept getting just a bit cliched for the Fil-um club?

By: Stephen M on June 20, 2008
at 12:03 pm

What happened to film in May? Perhaps you were all watching ‘Nuts in May’, that classic comedy by Mike Leigh..

As for me, I was in Senegal. West Africa.

By: Candice-Marie on June 24, 2008
at 11:23 am

We’ve gone from lsd squares to bizarre play-dough characters. We’re crazy.

Although i’m jealous of ellie’s dance moves, which are clearly the best - shine on, you crazy diamond.

By: Oh-oh, i'm an alien. I'm a legal alien. on June 25, 2008
at 4:38 pm

Tom, is it just you now on this blog talking to yourself? If so I’ve come to save you from yourself.

And to say check out my slightly deranged play-dough character. Looks like a ribena-berry who’s lost a cartoon fight and then been run over by a large steam roller.

Anyway, Senegal you say Tom. Where is that exactly?

By: Stephen M on June 25, 2008
at 11:19 pm

I couldn’t agree more on this astute observation of your blog pic, Steve…

And Senegal is in West Africa. If you start at East Africa - say Uganda - and go WEST, as the Pet Shop Boys would say, you’ll get to Senegal, West Africa. I’ve just been there.

By: Fruity little number on June 26, 2008
at 11:31 am

West Africa you say. Well I started in Uganda, okay I started in Kenya as that was further east but I found my way from there to Uganda, and then I kept on going west as both you and the Pet Shop Boys said to do and I ended up in Equatorial Guinea not Senegal. And it’s not even on the equator so now I’m doubly confused.

Could you point me in the right direction from there please Tom. And tell me have you ever been to Senegal?

By: Stephen M on June 27, 2008
at 11:25 am

Er…..yeah, you may need to start in Ethiopia. Or Eritrea. But anyway if you’re in Equatorial Guinea, just keep going west, maybe via north a bit, and you’ll get there eventually (through two other countries called Guinea). Simple really.

Can you pick up a couple of mangoes for me while you’re there? Thanks.

By: Don't know much about geography... on June 27, 2008
at 1:18 pm

Just thought I’d drop a quick note to the blog about Fil-um club. Shocking I know. But for those who actually read the blog thought we better let you know about the next event.

Tom - Fil-um club is at my house this Friday. We’ll be starting about 8pm. And, as an added incentive, I won’t be there.

By: Stephen M on July 1, 2008
at 8:46 am

…and as an extra bonus, I’ll be at a Clown Cabaret in Homerton. Fil-um club’s gonna be ROCKING this week!!!!

By: Pennywise aka IT on July 1, 2008
at 10:23 am

It’s July! Why am I still writing in the June blog? Aaaargh!

Also, is there another film club evening scheduled any time soon? And if not WHY not? I may actually make it to my first one, that’s if i’m not in Hospital/watching Clowns/in Senegal, West Africa.

I’m even going to go as far as to suggest a couple of films to watch. I may as well as i’m the only person reading this blog anyway. Can we watch the Science of Sleep? Please??

If not what about Little Miss Sunshine?

Oh alright then.

Incidentally, just to be contentious (moi?), I re-read James’ review of La Haine and would like to offer the opinion that the best ending in any film in in The Lives of Others, and not this one as he asserts. Any more for any more?

By: Sicko on July 22, 2008
at 11:00 am

Where is Ellie’s illusive woody Allen review? Endings mmm… The lives of others you say? How did that end?

By: Jimmy Smooth on August 11, 2008
at 10:26 pm

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