2. Learning Objectives
• Case Study 1 – Jews in France
– The history of the Jewish people in France
• Case study 2 – Panic on the streets of Paris
– A look at the Paris riots and the reasons why they are such a common feature in
the History of the city
• Case Study 3 – Labelling Vinz
– What labels can we apply to Vinz?
– Analysis of the character of Vinz
• Complete essay examining the importance of social context when
viewing films from foreign nations

3. Jews in France
• France has a long association with the Jewish
community
• For over 2000 years Jewish communities have
been found in France
• As of 2010 there are believed to be between
483,000 & 500,000 Jews living in France
• This number makes up only 1% of the entire
French population
• Ever since Jew’s first settled in France they have
been persecuted and faced Anti-Semitism – often
state sponsored – especially during the 20th
Century

4. Jews in France
• At the beginning of the 20th Century Anti-Semitism was
actively encouraged by Anti-Republican political groups,
the Catholic Church, the Army, Civil Service and the
Judiciary of France
• People believed the Jew’s could never be properly
integrated in to a French Christian society and therefore
were seen as potential traitors Marechal
Philippe
• After Germany’s occupation of France in 1939 the Petain
country was split in two Ruler of the
Nazi backed,
– German Controlled
Vichy-French
– Vichy controlled Government
• Over 150,000 Jews sought refuge in Vichy but were
subjected to fierce discrimination similar to that
practiced by the Nazi’s

5. Jews in France
• Jewish citizens were rounded up and held in train
stations and stadia before being transported to
Auschwitz
• During World War II the Vichy government exported
75,721 Jews to Nazi death camps
• Of these, only 2000 survived
• It was not until the retirement of French president
Francois Mitterrand (whom had been decorated by
Petain himself) in 1994 that the country was able Work sets you free
to face up to its role in the massacre of the Jews.
• Mitterrand claimed that it would cause to much
‘Civil Unrest’ if the issue was given a public
forum

6. Jews in France
• Over the years feelings of resentment, anger and
denial built up, before exploding in the 1980’s and
1990’s in the form of violent riots
• Between the years of there have been several
major riots in the city of Paris
• What does this suggest to you about French
Society and culture?
• This continual cycle of violence indicates that
there is a deep lying problem in French society –
especially among the immigrant / working classes

7. Panic on the streets of Paris
Just because La Haine was made in
1995 does not mean that the riots of Paris has a long history of riots.
1994 were in anyway ‘special’ During May 1968 students began
occupational protests, inspiring
trade unions and entire industries
to strike. Riots broke out and police
brutality was high. It was the
largest strike in history.
As riots are on-going we are able to
safely say that the riots taking place
are not related to one specific
incident but rather reflect an
underlying tension, fear and problem
with French society.
What are the reasons for this?

8. Segregation of Past atrocities inc:
immigrant •Setif Massacre
communities: • Vichy Governments
•Shanty towns treatment of Jews
•Les Banlieues during WWII
Ethnic minorities Resistance to
Why
make up only a small assimilation
percentage of the Riot?
total population
Governments lack of
Rise of skin-head religious affil –
gangs during the banning of the burka
Police Brutality:
1970’s, 80’s & 90’s
Deaths of over 300
immigrants at the An un-sympathetic
hands of the police government with
since 1980 history of genocide

9. Jews in France
• Vinzs’ religion / ethnic background is one of many
ways in which we can identify or ‘label’ him
• It is also one of several factors that contribute to his
isolation and position in society
• This is very important as it enables us to view his
character and his actions from ‘a certain point of
view’
• E.g
– If we see Vinz as a criminal, we are less likely to
sympathise
– If we see Vinz as a victim, we are more likely to
empathise with him situation

10. Task
• Watch the following extracts and make notes on the
following:
• In what different ways can we ‘label’ vinz?
• How does your understanding of French history inform your
opinion about:
– Vinz refusing to attend temple
– Vinz’s desire for revenge – his desire to kill a policeman
– His apparent lack of motivation to get a better life
– His need to be respected and his fear of murdering a police
officer

11. Unemployed
Criminal
Brother
Skin-head
White
Jew
Son
Victim
Thug

12. Homework
• Using your new knowledge of French history answer the following
question:
“How has the study of French history and culture deepened
your understanding of the film ‘La Haine’?”

13. Immigrants in France
• Because of the difficulty integrating into French society, many young
males of African and Arab descent work for the lowest wages and often
live in ghettos where crime is rampant.
• "Western Europe society has not managed to integrate second- or third-generation
immigrants," said Scott Atran, Director of Research at the Centre
National de la Recherche Scientifique and professor of psychology at the
University of Michigan.

14. • 07:05 - 9:10
• 1:09:36 - 1:11:32
• 1:28:05 - 1:33:31