L'oeuvre: La HaineIntroduction: the theme of violence is very present throughout the whole film. Not only is this because of the physical violence which was prevalent during the time in which it was set (the riots of the 90s in the banlieues of Paris) but also because of the social violence that we see throughout the film, and also the way in which the audience are led to expect violence from the 3 banlieusards. I would argue that this theme is best shown during the scene with the skins. In this scene, violence is portrayed in a way which is very much akin to the violence seen in the 90s riots era, as it shows the stereotyped, social and also physical violence. Thus, one could continue to argue that violence keeps the film tied to the context Physical violence - We see incessant violence from the skins who continue to beat up Said even though he is defenceless on the ground. Kassovitch accentuates the violence also through 'les gros plans' of the skin's face covered in blood, an. Physical violence is central to this scene because without these continuous violent actions Kassovitz would not be able to place this scene in the context of the 90s banlieues violence. Social - the use of argot. "un bon skin best un skin mort", "venger Abdel" "nique ta mère"; we see the violence between the two groups. this grounds it in the context of the time as in the 90s the skins would have hated maghrebins, Jewish people, and black people - in brief, all the people present in this scene. we mustn't forget that even though most of the violence is physical, it has fundamental social roots which are indispensable in translating the reality of the scene.Stereotyped violence - violence is used to prove to the audience that the 3 personnages are more that their stereotypes. when Vinz tries to kill the skin, Hubert is like a devil on his shoulder, convincing him to complete the act of violence that the audience expects of him. but Vinz is disgusted and shocked by the Skin's suffering - which reveals his humanity and opposes the 'gang' stereotype that he has talked up ('je vais tuer un flic'). Thus, here, the theme of violence is used to create a paradox which opposes the expectations of banlieusards - which is an underlying goal of the filmThus, violence is a fundamental theme in debunking stereotypes, re-creating recognisable violent scenes from the riots the film wishes to represent, and also placing the film in its social and political context. These three tangents of violence are shown clearly in this scene.