Les Misérables (2020) review, Culture Whisper
As the U.S. takes centre-stage in a world of police violence, it’s easy for the privileged to forget its universal spread: marching, stopping, searching, and fighting with terrifying authority. In Les Misérables (not that one), the Parisian district Montfermeil becomes the stage for this strand of brutality. In his feature debut, director/co-writer Ladj Ly tracks a trio of paramilitary police officers (‘gendarmes’) on patrol.
It's the first day on the job for quiet newbie Stéphane (Damien Bonnard) and he witnesses many dubious activities, illegal and immoral, conducted by his colleagues: the aggressively masculine Chris (Alexis Manenti) and the more sensible Gwada (Djebril Zonga). Over the course of two days, the film sees them driving around and interacting with known locals – seeing potential violence everywhere.
