Les Indésirables

In an impoverished Parisian suburb, two opposing visions for the community collide. A housing block is set for demolition forcing its residents to relocate. Pediatrician Pierre, who is appointed interim mayor by the ruling leftist party after his predecessor’s sudden death, faces resistance from activist Haby, who fights against the redevelopment plans that will force out migrants and marginalized groups. Two deaths catalyze an outbreak of unrest in a neighborhood already pushed to the edge. Some relief is found in the small local restaurant that offers a sense of community and testifies to the residents' resilience in the face of adversity and dehumanisation. With Les Indésirables, Ladj Ly delivers another gripping exploration of France’s bubbling social, political and racial tensions. (BH)