Douce France (1995)
Directed by Malik Chibane

Film Review

Made in the same year as Mathieu Kassovitz's La Haine (1995), but far less celebrated, Douce France paints a similar, slightly less superficial, view of racial tensions in modern France. This is the second feature directed by Malik Chibane, who had previously garnered praise for his similarly themed debut film Hexagone, whilst dealt with the experiences of an immigrant Arab family.

Whereas Kassovitz's film lunges head-first into the 'big issues' - police antagonism, unemployment and street violence, Douce France is far more down to earth and is content with showing us the day-to-day problems of a group of fairly ordinary young people of Arab descent.  It may not have the stark visceral impact of La Haine, but what it does offer is a more authentic account of the issues affecting racial minorities living in France today.

The young people in this film have to cope not just with the hostility and prejudices of a predominantly white society but also with the competing pressures of simultaneously trying to integrate themselves into this society whilst also respecting their own heritage.  Rather than shocking its audience, Douce France offers a far more sympathetic portrayal of non-whites living in a European city than La Haine, using humour rather than dramatic excess to underscore its key messages.

Film Synopsis

A portrait of four young French people of Arab descent living on a housing estate in the Saint-Denis district of Paris.  Jean-Luc uses the heist from a jewel robbery to set himself up as a lawyer, his office being a room in the bar managed by his friend Moussa.  Two sisters, Farida and Souad, have problems with their parents, employers and each other.  In contrast to Souad, who is a rebel who cuts her hair short and is obsessed with her appearance, Farida adheres to the edicts of her Muslim faith, for example wearing a head scarf.  The four young people tackle the pressures not just from an intrinsically racist society but also from their parents and peers, who expect them to conform to their lifestyle.