When three cops of varying lawfulness cross paths with local toughs, the Montfermeil district of Paris violently descends into chaos, in Ladj Ly’s Cannes Special Prize–winning debut feature that ingeniously weaves the thematic threads of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece into an explosive contemporary narrative spotlighting France as a place of seismic political and social change.

782

Contemporary World Cinema

Les Misérables

Ladj Ly

France has won the World Cup. Summer has arrived. It should be a good day. Ladj Ly's explosive Cannes Jury Prize–winning debut feature begins here in Montfermeil, the same banlieue of Paris where part of Victor Hugo's chef-d'oeuvre on the downtrodden of France also took place. A century and a half later, Ly picks up the thematic threads of the great writer in a modern take on revolution against a broken system.

With an intense pace that doesn't let up, Les Misérables shifts among several groups that call this quartier home, including the local youth led by Issa (newcomer Issa Perica) and three policemen on the anti-crime brigade. The newest to these streets is the cop Stéphane (Damien Bonnard). While his plainclothes partners Chris (Alexis Manenti) and Gwada (Djebril Zonga) are more into playing at being cowboys, he approaches his job with an earnestness they have long lost. But quickly, and violently, their paths cross with Issa's and Stéphane learns that the regular rules don't apply. He must adapt — at any cost.

Shot on location and using many first-time actors, Les Misérables is an example of the work of an exciting new crop of French filmmakers the critic and author Claire Diao has dubbed the "double vague": directors who are audacious and diverse, and want to challenge traditional narratives of what it means to be French. During a time of rising nationalism and right-wing politics in France, Ly's film further reverberates with an urgency, as this isn't merely a portrait of a community: it is a study of a nation on the brink.

KIVA REARDON

Screenings

Thu Sep 05

TIFF Bell Lightbox 1

Press
10:15am
Tue Sep 10

Winter Garden Theatre

Regular
6:30pm
Thu Sep 12

TIFF Bell Lightbox 1

Regular
2:45pm