The secret to success, it has been argued, is to display an ambidextrous plot that can be understood as both a simple narrative structure and a complex narrative structure. In this way District 13 fulfils its purpose. There is a story for those who are unable to grasp or understand complex narratives yet it also allows the 'thinking man' a topic of debate.
I read IMDb.com before watching this film and was under the impression it was a political film something resembling Orwell's 1984 or H.G. Well's Things to Come. On one level it was but to generalise it as merely a 'political film' would be an understatement.
District 13 (or Banlieue 13 to give it its French title) is a political thriller. It's about a futuristic suburb in Paris which is simply a ghetto for violence, street crime and anarchism. This story explores the life of Leito, a home-grown youth who stands against the corruption going on around him but, much like Dirty Harry, Leito punishes all those who are unruly (including the police). Eventually, Leito is released from prison (after being wrongly convicted for the possession of drugs,) as he is needed by the police to penetrate the dominant ghetto B13 base and thus defuse a triggered stolen nuclear bomb that will destroy the whole area within 24 hours. The story unfolds as the two main protagonists, Leito and Damien, (a law-abiding policeman,) try to prevent a bomb from exploding and, at the same time, save Leito's sister from the mob.
This thriller is everything many American movies want to be. Both Damien and Leito are two highly trained athletes and both men pull off great stunts. Unlike many American thrillers though, the narratives make sense and we can understand them. Throughout the film there are many socialist undertones and the finale is also reformist socialism and, retrospectively, possibly also an inherent criticism of the Soviet Union. One point for discussion concerns the notion of a 'worthwhile life'? It also encompasses other moral philosophies.
There are no stones left unturned but everything is concluded in the most unexpected ways. The plot is very good and asks questions which many films, particularly American ones, do not. There is a downside to this film though. The whole movie is spoken in French with English subtitles which means it is not exactly audience friendly! Also, it means you have to concentrate on the subtitles as well as the picture which means it is likely you will miss some of the action! Furthermore, in my (cynical) opinion, gangstas' tend to be very well practically trained, thus there is no way you can attack four or five of them whilst being attached to a steering wheel a little too unrealistic. This shouldn't take too much away from the film. It is a very good film with great ideas and, if this was made by an American producer, it certainly would have gained a better reputation than the one it has. It's certainly a box office hit for me!
I read IMDb.com before watching this film and was under the impression it was a political film something resembling Orwell's 1984 or H.G. Well's Things to Come. On one level it was but to generalise it as merely a 'political film' would be an understatement.
District 13 (or Banlieue 13 to give it its French title) is a political thriller. It's about a futuristic suburb in Paris which is simply a ghetto for violence, street crime and anarchism. This story explores the life of Leito, a home-grown youth who stands against the corruption going on around him but, much like Dirty Harry, Leito punishes all those who are unruly (including the police). Eventually, Leito is released from prison (after being wrongly convicted for the possession of drugs,) as he is needed by the police to penetrate the dominant ghetto B13 base and thus defuse a triggered stolen nuclear bomb that will destroy the whole area within 24 hours. The story unfolds as the two main protagonists, Leito and Damien, (a law-abiding policeman,) try to prevent a bomb from exploding and, at the same time, save Leito's sister from the mob.
This thriller is everything many American movies want to be. Both Damien and Leito are two highly trained athletes and both men pull off great stunts. Unlike many American thrillers though, the narratives make sense and we can understand them. Throughout the film there are many socialist undertones and the finale is also reformist socialism and, retrospectively, possibly also an inherent criticism of the Soviet Union. One point for discussion concerns the notion of a 'worthwhile life'? It also encompasses other moral philosophies.
There are no stones left unturned but everything is concluded in the most unexpected ways. The plot is very good and asks questions which many films, particularly American ones, do not. There is a downside to this film though. The whole movie is spoken in French with English subtitles which means it is not exactly audience friendly! Also, it means you have to concentrate on the subtitles as well as the picture which means it is likely you will miss some of the action! Furthermore, in my (cynical) opinion, gangstas' tend to be very well practically trained, thus there is no way you can attack four or five of them whilst being attached to a steering wheel a little too unrealistic. This shouldn't take too much away from the film. It is a very good film with great ideas and, if this was made by an American producer, it certainly would have gained a better reputation than the one it has. It's certainly a box office hit for me!