So, this is what France chose as their official entry for the Oscars 2019 over "Portrait dela jeune fille en feu" (2019), which cannot be denied a masterpiece. This film, however, is something (an understatement) for a first time film director Ladj Ly, Victor Hugo would have been proud of this promising debut feature film while borrowing the title "Les Misérables" (2019). While, it is not the story of Jean Valjean, it does espouse the soul of Hugo's original narrative. Ladj's Lys fiction depicts real-life imagery of oppression, violence, injustice and police brutality that is deeply roted in racism. Police officer Stéphanie Ruiz (Damien Bonnard) who just arrived in his first day of work in Montfermeil is assigned under anti-crime brigade squad leader Chris (Alexis Manenti) and his partner Gwada (Djebril Zonga). While patrolling the streets, he realizes that his squad leader is a "dimwit" who enjoys harrasing women and children, and claims that it is the way to earn respect. Although Ruiz does not interfere with the abuses of Chris against people of color and Muslim immigrants, he knows too well that his squad leader is going overboard. His first day of work becomes his worst day as a boy named Issa is accidentally hit on the face with a flash-ball and was not given the justice he deserves; while his second day of work may become his last day as Issa and his boys with a planned revenge attack Chris's squadron and leaving them wounded. The audience is left to decide what would be the likely ending of the story. Would Issa kill the police officers or would Ruiz fire the gun at Issa to save the squad? Or would compassion showed by Ruiz to Issa saves both of their lives? Then, the screen reminds the audience of a qoute from Victor Hugo: "Remember this, my friends: there is no such things as bad plants or bad men. There are only bad cultivators. #lesmiserables #ladjly https://www.instagram.com/p/B_aRFEOAJZ0/?igshid=t8unyb71a4tj
