Just wondered what others thought about La Haine being filmed in black and white and how this affects our perception of it? I read that Kassowitz originally wanted the Parisian parts to be filmed in colour to contrast it symbolically with the banlieue but that he wasn't able to do this. Do we feel the black and white gives a real ambiance to it or is it just a bit "posey"?
Excellent point you raise there, Amanda. I think there are several elements at play here. Possibly Kassowitz chose grainy black and white film stock to emphasise the low-budget aspect of the film in sympathy with the impoverished nature of the three youths. Also he might well have been aligning himself stylistically with the "nouvelle vague" films of the 1950s and 1960s as opposed to the colourful high budget movies of the 80s and 90s. What do others think?
Don't you think also that it might be meant to show the dull lives of the boys? Boring,dull - and black and white - as opposed to full technicolour fun?