Summer
2010
Many candidates chose (a).
There was some variation in the conception of what constitutes social exclusion
but on the whole candidates had a good understanding of the issues raised in the
film. It was interesting that there was criticism as well as sympathy for Vinz
and the characters were all seen as individuals. The manner in which the
question was approached showed much variation, some concentrating on language
and the symbolic value of the setting while others placed the emphasis on the
relationship with the police. Almost all seemed to have engaged well with the
issues involved. Sometimes the real story used by Kassovitz to create the film
was fully described but the question was not answered. The fewer essays on (b)
were on the whole very well observed and some contained specialised
cinematographic terminology, although this was not necessary for a successful
response.
Summer
2011
(a)
This was the more popular choice, with a surprising amount of sympathy being
expressed for the police. It was worrying that some candidates did not
understand "anti-flic". Those who did understand anti-flic analysed, or
in the weaker answers listed, where the police feature. This led the majority to
over emphasise the importance of the 2 'nice' flics. Only one commented
on the futility of their actions. Few referred to the overall intentions of
Kassovitz in the portrayal of the police. On the other hand, there were a few
excellent answers (Everyone knew what a flic is!). Answers were well
balanced and analytical, but a main observation is that
the
candidates' understanding
often exceeded their ability to express their
views.
(b) This attracted fewer
answers but these too were balanced and well-argued. It is difficult to see why
so few wrote on Vinz. Perhaps it is the use of the word compassion and
the candidates didn't fully know what it meant. (Even though "la
compassion" has regularly appeared in Literature questions). The answers
mostly followed the film chronologically and the parts identified where the
candidate did or did not feel compassion for him. There was little analysis and
none of Vinz's justification of his violent
behaviour.
Summer
2012
Many candidates chose (a). Hubert’s quote was well explored by
many, but there was a tendency to describe where “la haine attire la haine”
appeared in the film. Focus on the idea of the vicious circle and Hubert’s need
to break out of it was well developed and explored by many candidates. Some
essays contained good references to cinematographic techniques used by Kassovitz
in this context.
In (b) there was some
variation in the concept of what constitutes “family” but on the whole
candidates had a good understanding of the issues raised in the film. The
traditional idea of family and its evident dysfunctionality was well-explored
with regard to the three main characters. Some candidates concentrated on the
symbolic idea of “family” in the face of adversity (life in “la banlieue”) while
others placed the emphasis on the traditional relationships, and lack of father
figures. Almost all seemed to have engaged well with the issues
involved.
2010
Many candidates chose (a).
There was some variation in the conception of what constitutes social exclusion
but on the whole candidates had a good understanding of the issues raised in the
film. It was interesting that there was criticism as well as sympathy for Vinz
and the characters were all seen as individuals. The manner in which the
question was approached showed much variation, some concentrating on language
and the symbolic value of the setting while others placed the emphasis on the
relationship with the police. Almost all seemed to have engaged well with the
issues involved. Sometimes the real story used by Kassovitz to create the film
was fully described but the question was not answered. The fewer essays on (b)
were on the whole very well observed and some contained specialised
cinematographic terminology, although this was not necessary for a successful
response.
Summer
2011
(a)
This was the more popular choice, with a surprising amount of sympathy being
expressed for the police. It was worrying that some candidates did not
understand "anti-flic". Those who did understand anti-flic analysed, or
in the weaker answers listed, where the police feature. This led the majority to
over emphasise the importance of the 2 'nice' flics. Only one commented
on the futility of their actions. Few referred to the overall intentions of
Kassovitz in the portrayal of the police. On the other hand, there were a few
excellent answers (Everyone knew what a flic is!). Answers were well
balanced and analytical, but a main observation is that
the
candidates' understanding
often exceeded their ability to express their
views.
(b) This attracted fewer
answers but these too were balanced and well-argued. It is difficult to see why
so few wrote on Vinz. Perhaps it is the use of the word compassion and
the candidates didn't fully know what it meant. (Even though "la
compassion" has regularly appeared in Literature questions). The answers
mostly followed the film chronologically and the parts identified where the
candidate did or did not feel compassion for him. There was little analysis and
none of Vinz's justification of his violent
behaviour.
Summer
2012
Many candidates chose (a). Hubert’s quote was well explored by
many, but there was a tendency to describe where “la haine attire la haine”
appeared in the film. Focus on the idea of the vicious circle and Hubert’s need
to break out of it was well developed and explored by many candidates. Some
essays contained good references to cinematographic techniques used by Kassovitz
in this context.
In (b) there was some
variation in the concept of what constitutes “family” but on the whole
candidates had a good understanding of the issues raised in the film. The
traditional idea of family and its evident dysfunctionality was well-explored
with regard to the three main characters. Some candidates concentrated on the
symbolic idea of “family” in the face of adversity (life in “la banlieue”) while
others placed the emphasis on the traditional relationships, and lack of father
figures. Almost all seemed to have engaged well with the issues
involved.