Although there have been many musicians who have tried their hand at acting, Lady Gaga has shown that she has a genuine interest in the art of filmmaking. Instead of taking on roles that fit easily within her pop persona, Gaga showed real vulnerability in A Star is Born, took a bold acting swing with House of Gucci, and committed to Todd Phillips’ polarizing vision in Joker: Folie à Deux. It’s unlikely that a performer with this many impressive credits is not also a massive fan of the medium, and Gaga has certainly shown her credentials as a true cinephile. After admitting to having an obsession with “death and sex,” Gaga stated that the French film La Haine is her favorite film of all time.
Written and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, La Haine is a French-language social thriller that follows the exploits of the troubled youths Vinz (Vincent Cassel), Hubert (Hubert Koundé), and Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui) as they commit a series of small-time crimes in the urban streets of Paris. Although the film takes place over the course of a single day, it serves as a microcosm of the larger social, economic, and political issues relevant in both France and the world. La Haine is a bold piece of arthouse filmmaking that has stood the test of time, so it’s not surprising that someone as influential within modern popular culture as Gaga would have an affinity for it.
‘La Haine’ Is One of the Most Important Films of the ‘90s
La Haine was praised for its transgressive style of filmmaking, as despite being shot in black-and-white, Kassovitz captured the type of “slice-of-life” realism that was rarely seen, even in independent films at the time. Although La Haine does not conform to a typical structure or provide exposition about the background of its three protagonists, the viewers are able to learn more about these troubled young men by seeing the way that they react to outside violence. A study of youthful indiscretion and a fascination with violence is certainly not a new concept, but unlike a film like A Clockwork Orange, La Haine took place in a recognizable version of reality. Its themes may have been ones that Gaga was also interested in, as she discussed the lasting effects of trauma in songs like “Swine” and “Do What You Want.”
La Haine examines the way in which popular culture impacts people, and how easily it can be to ignore the message within a work of art. Even though Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver is a film that criticizes toxic masculinity, Vinz uses it as a piece of inspiration, as he aspired to be like Robert De Niro’s character, Travis Bickle. Gaga is certainly aware of her influence and has taken on roles in which she examines the consequences of being a celebrity. A Star is Born is one of the most powerful depictions of what it can be like to contend with mental health issues while at the center of popular culture. While it was less successful, the Joker sequel attempted to show how characters like Lee Quinzel used classical musicals for the power of manipulation.
La Haine is an important piece of political filmmaking, as the film was recognized for its in-depth examination of police violence, authoritarianism, youthful transgressions, and hate speech. While the film does not present a clear solution to the issues that it presents, the power of its ambiguity allows it to initiate discussions. Although Gaga is best known as a performer and actress, she is also a strong activist who has participated in many social movements. Famously, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for “Til’ It Happens To You” for the documentary The Hunting Ground.
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Gaga’s interest in La Haine suggests great things about her future in acting, as there is a model of great cinema that she is clearly striving to participate in. Despite the backlash that the Joker sequel received, even those who hated the film may have been able to admit that Gaga’s performance was a highlight. Similarly, House of Gucci was a somewhat divisive film in which Gaga’s eccentric performance as Patrizia Reggiani was met with critical acclaim. Although it is great to see that she is working with established auteurs like Ridley Scott, Robert Rodriguez, and Todd Phillips, it would be even more exciting if Gaga were to participate in the French film industry.
Gaga’s admiration for La Haine will hopefully generate more interest in the film, as despite winning the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, it has not been circulated in the culture when discussing the greatest works of the 1990s. Kassovitz has not directed a film since 2011’s Rebellion, but if Gaga’s fans were to take an interest in his larger body of work, he could certainly find a way to make a serious comeback.
