Jun 9

Jun 9 Russo Brothers Pizza Film School: La Haine x Prime Pizza

A lot has happened. Yeah.

Since most of the world is quarantined, the media industry has created more interesting ways to connect with the masses. A lot of it is watching endless amounts of content online including Instagram Live (a.k.a IG Live)

On May 29, the Russo Brothers (the same brothers that have directed Marvel movies) announced a new weekly online series on IG Live called The Russo Brothers Pizza Film School. Each week, a film would be “assigned” and discussed via IG Live on Friday (5 pm PST/ 8 PM EST). As their sharing their thoughts, they will eating a pizza from a local pizzeria in the Los Angeles Area.

Movies and trying new local food is a definite point of interest of me. I am not a huge fan of pizza. Since the Russo Brothers gave me delightful Marvel movies, then I’m going to trust their choices and hope for the best.

Movie: La Haine (1995)

I have never heard of this movie and it’s shame that it took me this long to find out. Although I’m late to the game in viewing the movie, the issues in the movie are still name and it could have easily played in theaters now. The relevance is still raw.

The french movie begins the morning after a night of violent protests and looting sparked by police brutality. Vinz ( A Jewish man), Hubert (An Afro-French man), and Said (A North African Muslim), have met up in the morning to catch up and to gauge the aftermath of last night. They find out of the policeman from last night had lost their gun. As the friends. wander around the neighborhoods, the tensions from last night have not dissipated at all and are quickly rising into more violence.

It was a movie shot in black and white that still hid no shadows of the racial tensions and frustration against police brutality. At times it was humorous with random conversations but it was tense and brutal story. Even more brutal that it’s been 25 years and it is all still an issue all over the world.

On the first IG Live (which can still be viewed on Instagram), Joe Russo chatted with Pete Hammond (Chief Critic and Awards Columnist). One of the first scenes they zoned in on was when Vinz (played by Vincent Cassel) is in front of the bathroom mirror reacting a scene from Taxi Driver. It was a scene where Vinz scowls at the mirror while miming shooting. At this point of the movie, we have learned that Vinz is carrying the missing gun and has vowed to shoot the police. Joe mentions not only the innovative camera angles but also the scene itself. It is a quick scene that speaks so much volume on Vinz character’s and the story in general. What he sees himself doing in the mirror is an image of a tough and confident guy but is that his true self?

The quality of the IG video is pretty gritty and full of fumbles and sound issues. Overall, Pete did not really add any interesting perspective to the conversation. He came off as sounding like a fanboy who was proud of pointing out scenes. Also, the sound quality on his end was so irritating. For a first session, I would have preferred that he had not been involved as Joe had more sincere commentary and had a genuine connection to the movie.

Prime Pizza

603 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505

Address: 603 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
Website: https://primepizza.la/

For the assignment, a cheese slice and garlic knots were the chosen ones. It was so easy ordering online and then picking up. The pizza crust was thin and crunchy and was not oily at all. It was a good and decent slice of pizza. It was the garlic knots that I absolutely loved! It was a nice balance of garlic and soft texture. I was so sad when I finished them all!