Hate

    In the film Hate, Kassowitz outlines the dynamics of the social worlds of urban Paris, and the surrounding suburbs, but in a different light than one would think. Whereas it is generally agreed that Paris is a nicer, safer place to live when compared to the suburbs, Kassowitz demonstrates a differing opinion, and shows how socially alienating Paris really is to residents of the suburbs.

    It is obvious that the Kassowitz's character's find a sort of safe haven in their hometown, even though it is a place looked down upon. It is when they travel to Paris that they encounter most of their adversity, and become trapped in the unforgiving city. I believe that Kassowitz wanted to show Parisians that even though they may think they are socially accepting, their city is prejudiced against suburban outsiders. Vinz, Said, and Hubert were all physically in Paris, but they were still socially being shut out, mostly because of circumstances in their lives that were not entirely their fault. Kassowitz wanted to open people's eyes through civic cinema, and portray the world as real suburban dwellers experience it. If he didn't want to make the movie as realistic as possible, he would not have done as much research living in the suburbs, as he did. He wanted to make people see that the problems of the suburbs are in the here and now, and that society needs to change its unfair inequalities. 

    Kassowitz is obviously deeply concerned with the issues surrounding the French suburbs, and he, like many others probably do, wants to see a drastic change come about so that Paris is no longer as alienating to suburban residents. For the characters of the film, the city is like a glimpse of what their lives could have been like had they been born into more lucky situations, and it constantly keeps them down, and reminds them of their position in life.