Les Misérables

Director: Ladj Ly

Cast: Damien Bonnard, Alexis Manenti, Djebril Zonga, Steve Tientcheu, Issa Perica, Al-Hassan Ly, Almamy Kanoute, Raymond Lopez, Jeanne Balibar

Genre: Thriller

Duration: 104 minutes – French with English subtitles (2019)

Inspired by the riots of 2005 in the Paris suburbs, the film revolves around three members of an anti-crime brigade who are overrun while trying to make an arrest.
Stephane, only just arrived from Cherbourg, joins the anti-criminality brigade of Montfermeil in a sensitive district of the Paris suburbs. Paired up with Chris and Gwada whose methods are sometimes “special,” he rapidly discovers the tensions between the various neighborhood groups. When an arrest starts to get out of hand, a drone is filming every move they make.

Les Misérables competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Jury Prize. It has been selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020. Les Misérables also won Best International Feature Film at the Durban International Film Festival.

‘Inspired by the riots that erupted at the foot of the filmmaker’s building in 2005, Les Misérables vibrates with the kind of unshakeable verisimilitude that can only be earned through first-hand experience.’ David Ehrlich, Indiewire

‘Les Misérables refuses to blame the match or the kindle for a world that’s fueled by the fires they start together.’ David Ehrlich, Indiewire

Courtesy of Videovision