Inspired by real-life riots in the city, the film follows Stéphane (Damien Bonnard), a police officer from the provinces who moves to Paris to join an anti-criminality brigade in a notoriously violent banlieue. Teamed with new colleagues Chris (Alexis Manenti) and Gwada (Djebril Zonga), Stéphane begins to discover that a complex power structure exists between the police and the residents they patrol. However, when one arrest gets out of control and a drone captures the encounter, the officer’s “special” methods are threatened with exposure.

Filled to the brim with heart, spirit and anger, Ly’s Les Misérables emulates its predecessor La Haine (screening at QFT from 11 September) by highlighting injustice and brutality with a mature confidence. This is an exhilarating and engrossing ride.

“A galvanising debut… With Les Misérables Ly delivers a passionate protest on behalf of an entire generation, whose future has largely been foreclosed. His, on the other hand, is astonishingly bright.” – Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

_{We're delighted to swing open the cinema door once more. You might like to read more about the new measures we're taking to reduce the risk from COVID-19, including our new allocated seating. Find out more here. If you have any questions, we've got a new range of FAQs here, and you can email us on qftmanager@qub.ac.uk.}