MovieChat Forums > La haine (1996) Discussion > 'La Haine' or 'City of God'

'La Haine' or 'City of God'

posted 18 years ago by mis1990
147 replies | jump to latest

I just bought the 10th Anniversary edition of 'La Haine' and i've gotta say I thought it was excellent. Being a fan of 'City of God' I couldnt help but notice the similarities between them, maybe due to the variety of camera shots or the fact that both films show foreign slums/estates with normal people becoming criminals; I just wondered which one people prefer out of the two films? I personally can't decide, but 'La Haine' has waaaay too low a position on the top 250.

Can I Scream?

[–] amazingaddiction 18 years ago

That's tough. Because both films for me are in my top ten. I loved City of God for more reasons though, directing, style, story. La Haine was great with all those things too, but I loved the characters more in La Haine. I loved Said thought he was great. But both films are extremely well made.

"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." -Anonymous

[–] mis1990 18 years ago

Yeah, very good point, any more films that resemble the two that you could suggest?

Can I Scream?

[–] malax_ah 18 years ago

City of god has a more interesting story

[–] allstar_beyond 18 years ago

I personally thought the stylish editing and camera movements became very tiresome in CITY OF GOD, where as LA HAINE uses just enough to help along the story. CITY OF GOD is much more explosive and avant-garde, LA HAINE is just a more powerful film.

[–] heavymetalmouth-133-477421 11 years ago

Avant-garde does not mean French-in-style. *beep* Go away.

[–] CitizenVeen 16 years ago

I actually think La Haine has a much better story, a lot less happens, but its way more symbolic and has a clearer message then Cidade de Deus

Enjoy!

[–] heavymetalmouth-133-477421 12 years ago

Although it's been a very long time since I've seen it, I believe that Carandiru has the same sort of vibe as City of God. Even if it hasn't, I remember it being a very good film all the same.

In fact, I'm going to watch it now:

http://www.1channel.ch/watch-342538-Carandiru

[–] imdbmeplease-1 18 years ago

city of god is way better.

[–] celadore 18 years ago

If I really had to choose I think I'd have to go for City of God because it is more inventive and ambitious in style, but at the same time it's naturalistic in a really compelling way. They're both brilliant films though.

Did anyone find it somewhat depressing though to be watching this film over a decade since its original release and seeing scenes that pretty much mirror the news coverage of the Paris riots?

[–] Mystery_Biscuit 18 years ago

It may be because I haven't watched La Haine in a while, and saw City of God again only recently, but I have to go with City of God (but only just.)

They deal with similar themes, but I have to say I enjoyed the story structure of CoG more.

[–] kadajawi 17 years ago

Hm, no, I've seen CoG a long time ago and La Haine just few minutes ago, still prefer City of God. But maybe that's because I'm not used to reading subtitles, so I ended up reading them all the time and not seeing the actual movie. Next time should be better :)

[–] Mark_Derrick 18 years ago

hmm La Haine is a awesome film but iv never seen city, il see that real soon
:)

[–] shanayneigh 18 years ago

I'd say Le Haine is the better of the two.

"What's that smell?"

[–] sebastian-andersson 14 years ago

The 'City of God' has much more bang-bang and on-screen action, whilst 'La Haine' delivers a powerful [political] message and is more 'deep' in content and thought-provoking. I'm going with the latter, 'La Haine'.

[–] fayaska 18 years ago

Ha ha, that's a good question... I have to say that City of God is amazing, but La Haine is for me (maybe because I'm French) one of those films where every single detail has a meaning. The dialogues are excellent and some scenes mythical (like the DJing echoing all around the estate.
So for me, definitely, LA HAINE!

[–] sylsh92 18 years ago

lol u got to love the midget in the bathroom that tells them the story about dumping at a siberian work camp

[–] xRentGirlx 18 years ago

city of god forever!!!

La haine kicks ass but city of god is just to good for words!

"God even knows when a single hair moves on your head." '21 grams'

[–] sborges 18 years ago

Despite being brazilian and considering Meirelles flick quite good (but not really all that is said of it), I must say that La Haine is far superior, absolutely brilliant - the film works on so many levels and conveys so many complex ideas on race and cultural diversity that makes City of God quite pale by comparison; also, the dialogue and script are quite better - La Haine is one of the best films I have ever had the pleasure to watch - together with Amelio's equally stunning L'America.

[–] mcmist_edj 18 years ago

these two films are in my top 5 films of all time, so this question gets kinda emotional. im going for La Haine as for me its the more beautiful a film, simpler in structure but with a message thats conveyed with more strength. Both films left me speechless after watching, i prefer to see them as equal in what they do, but La Haine jst means that little bit more to me, probably becuase it was a film that opened my eyes to other areas of the film world

[–] rdn-2 18 years ago

Id rate both, and i think its hard to call which is better,but id have to say La Haine. The charcters and more interesting and better acted, and it alos has a great soundtrack.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mazion 18 years ago

I'm French and a Kassovitz fan so...La Haine :) But City of God is definitely a powerful film.
Thing is, i dont know what repercutions City of God had in Brazil, but La Haine is considered the most well made, truthfull and powerful film about French getthos.

[–] jeff_mugen 15 years ago

I could Not Agree More La Haine is probably MY favorite Movie of all time.

There's a thesaurus in the library. Yeah is under "Y". Go ahead, I'll wait.

[–] Benedict_Cumberbatch 15 years ago

I'd go with "Cidade de Deus", even though "La Haine" is also powerful.

"I did cramps the way Meryl Streep did accents" - Calliope (Middlesex)

[–] BestofMyHug 18 years ago

The two don't even compare. Hate, all the way

Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me.

[–] dmongelli4 18 years ago

city of good is a great story and great film, but the shaky camera is kind of annoying.....la haine is just too perfect in every aspect

[–] eddizle 18 years ago

i agree la haine is the business, city of god is also very good but la haine is just a little better

[–] Cat_Stevens 17 years ago

City of God, easily.