French Film Director Ladj Ly's Debut "Les Miserables"

Incredible, Ladj Ly (b. France 1980)  marks his directorial debut with "Les Miserable."  Ly's parents are from Mali.  This remarkably shot & provocative film has garnered a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film & an An Acad. Award nom. for Best Int'l Feature.  Set in contemporary Paris, as in Victor Hugo's 19th C novel, the film is rife with oppression, anarchy, and warring convictions.   Gavorche, the rebellious young hero in the novel is represented by the charismatic & uncontrollable Issa.  "Our acts make or mar us, we are the children of our deeds."*   Jean Valjean's character is mirrored by officer Stephane who wrestles with conscience.   Stephane just relocated to be in closer proximity with his son.  Stephane's the new recruit on a police force responsible for maintaining order in the impoverished housing projects in Montfermeil. "An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come."* The opening scenes show massive crowds brandishing French banners reveling France's soccer win around the Arch de Triumph. The camera places the audience within all the frenetic activities.  A group of black youths shove their way past transit cues & over turnstiles avoiding fares.  Issa is amongst the group.  We next meet Issa at police headquarters where we hear his father furiously disavow his uncontrollable son & his constant run-ins with the law.  Stephane notes the ruckus when going to meeting the officers with whom he'll be partnering.  There are numerous gangs, sects & factions sparring with each other & vying for power.  Chris, the lead officer tells Stephane, "Never apologize, we're always right."  Chris' methods are unorthodox & illegal but that's the modus operandi used to instill fear & retain power.  Issa's impulsive stealing of a lion cub from a circus run by gypsies sets in motion a clamoring  skirmish for control that gets shockingly out of control.  One of the officers fires a weapon striking Issa in the face, disfiguring & nearly killing him.  Rather than getting the boy immediate medical care, the officers concern is for covering their incriminating tracks.  Ly's provocative and perceptive film uncovers the harsh & tribalistic lives amidst the squalor of the overrun suburbs in the shadows of Paris.  The film blurs the boundaries of fear & respect, of compassion & neglect.  The climatic vicious clash is horrifying & yet noble.  "Les Miserables" is a masterful work that sonorously gongs a prophetic toll of savage revolt should the call for morality continue to prevail upon deaf ears.   "Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come"*.
* Victor Hugo