An exceptional gangster film that doesn't get preoccupied with slick styling and gangland patois, it is also a whip-smart meditation on the nature of community and fraternity. Visually striking and impeccably performed, that the stories are gleaned from actual events and organizations makes it all the more resonant and terrifying. Recommended.

What it lacks in narrative structure, Cantet and Bégaudeau pile on in character study. More true to its documentary roots than the work of the Dardenne Brothers, and a compelling watch for anyone looking to debunk the stereotypes of the difficulties of public schools in urban metros. Expertly made, flawlessly performed, and despite its uneven narrative, it packs a true emotional punch.