Plus are the kids in La Haine talking American-ese because they are mimicking American culture, or are they talking American-ese because the translation is done to accommodate an American audience? It's set in France in the mid 90's it features immigrant kids on the edge of French society, so why are they NOT talking about Le Pen?

Napoleon wrote:The changes of the cultural references might not amount to much in the overall scope of the movie but isn't it still a compromise of the films original integrity. Is it possible that the CC followed another translation? That is: was there an 'official' translation that was issue-friendly? Personally, I would follow the Asterix/Obelisk translation more than a Snoopy/Charlie Brown one in fact, the latter would be much more jarring as this is a very French film and I would expect much more local references. Very interesting point as far as subtitle translation in general.

If La Haine wasn't already a must-buy, the extras definitely put it into that category. Otherwise, this is a great release, and I think criterion did a great job this package. When the boys ring the apartment intercom, they ask for 'Asterix', and the tenant replies, 'no, how about Obelisk?' I assume most criterion fiends are sophisticated enough to know who Asterix and Obelisk are, but the subtitles translate the dialogue as 'Is Snoopy home' and the tenant's reply as 'No, how about Charlie Brown?' I understand the motivation for translating the comic characters' names to fit our frame of reference, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it a little patronizing. Only two quibbles:ġ) The subtitles on the extras obscure the names/occupations of some of the speakers on 'Ten Years of La Haine' feature.Ģ) Subtitle accuracy. Jbeall wrote:I watched the criterion release yesterday, and I'm really impressed with both the presentation and the extras.

La haine english subtitle