Name: La squale
Genre: Drama
Released: 2000-11-29
Duration: 1 h 40 min
Rating: 5.3
Cast: Esse Lawson, Tony Harrisson, Khereddine Ennasri

What struck me about this film was the influence of US culture on the characterisation. Initially I thought I was just superimposing my own preconceptions, but I was lucky enough to attend a screening where the director was there to take questions afterwards. He made the point that a lot of Black and Arab youth culture in France borrows directly from the American idea of 'the ghetto', and from the language of film pornography. Ultimately I was disappointed because I like my French films 'French' (that is to say, coquettish, poetic, and a little existential). But that's not to say that La Squale is an excellent depiction of a very real French way of life - a good example of its genre.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

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La squale

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